I discovered what it was about the porcelain basket that caught my attention the first time I saw it by chance at 1stdibs — it’s the resemblance to a creamer (?) in Pierre Bonnard’s 1930 painting Dining Room overlooking the Garden which I saw years ago when it was exhibited at the Phillips Collection. I had made a drawing of the creamer (or white ceramic something-or-other) in front of the actual painting.
When I happened upon my own drawing again, comparing it with the basket drawing above, the resemblance became obvious.
Things grab you for a reason.
Here’s links to Bonnard’s painting and a link to the 1stdibs basket: