Lacquer box simulating wood grain

Japan, Meiji period, 19th century

Length: 20 1⁄2 inches, 52 cm
Width: 6 1⁄2 inches, 16.5 cm
Height: 2 3⁄4 inches, 7 cm

A lacquer box of rectangular shape, with a flat base and a flat cover.  The outside is decorated in togidashi makie with a design simulating wood grain. The interior of the box is decorated in the nashiji technique, appearing as an even surface of tiny gold flecks on a black background.

The interesting and unusual togidashi (gold and silver powder) design on the outside of this box simulates wood grain to great effect, contrasting with the interior, which is more typical of Meiji lacquers, being covered in the nashiji technique, providing a surface of evenly distributed gold flecks.