This charming old Japanese round box is crafted from lightweight papier-mâché and finished in a deep, glossy black lacquer that highlights its graceful form. The surface features hand-painted decorative motifs, rendered with fine brushwork that brings subtle color and character to the dark lacquer ground. The painted design—likely floral or symbolic in nature—reflects traditional Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, combining simplicity with delicate artistic detail.
The box is fitted with a hinged top, an elegant and practical feature that distinguishes it from more common lift-off lid forms. Despite its modest scale, the piece carries a refined presence, with the lacquer’s gentle sheen and the painter’s thoughtful ornamentation creating a harmonious overall effect.
Lightweight yet durable, this papier-mâché box would originally have served as a personal container—perhaps for small keepsakes or accessories—and now stands as an attractive example of Japanese lacquer craft. It displays beautifully in a collection of Asian decorative arts or as a single refined accent in any interior.
