Japanese Marquetry and Black Lacquer Lidded Box with Interior Tray candlesnuff With its narrow neck

With its narrow neck

teaching us how to draw faces

but would be really lovely hung most anywhere

though it would also make a good serving bowl or catch-all

there is room for a finger or two inside the head while the others fill its armholes

Japanese Marquetry and Black Lacquer Lidded Box with Interior Tray candlesnuff With its narrow neckI believe this box is Meiji period Japanese, as I have found a few other pieces cabinets mostly with very very similar marquetry patterning, called Yosegi in Japan, combined with black lacquered interiors as is the case here. What I really love about it is the way the triangular motif plays out across the top and sides, in different varieties of wood subtly and surprisingly defying expectations. Really sharp looking, and a useful box too, with an