Japanese lacquer game box, Meiji period, late 19th century - Lot 38

Japanese lacquer game box, Meiji period, late 19th century Rectangular lacquered wooden game box from the late Meiji period (1868–1912), made of black lacquer and decorated with gold hiramaki-e. The lid features a design of chrysanthemums, butterflies, and a rooster set against a stylized landscape, embellished with inlaid mother-of-pearl highlights. The interior is divided into five compartments with drawers for storing game tokens, cards, or other game accessories. Each drawer is adorned with floral compositions and insects rendered in gold lacquer. The exterior and base are finished with a nashiji finish featuring fine gold flakes. This type of box exemplifies the refinement of Japanese household objects produced during the late Meiji period. Dimensions: 31 × 23 × 8 cm – Weight: 1.6 kg.