The two-tiered box is in the shape of two horizontal interconnecting lozenges.
One is decorated with pavilions in a landscape, the other with scattered stylised chrysanthemum flowerheads, using thinly raised and flat makie, with gold foil and painted gold, 13.6cm by 7.3cm by 6.3cm.
Although the design of a pavilion in a landscape is typical for export pieces, this particular piece could well have satisfied the more rigorous domestic taste.
Characters inside the lid refer to the price code for the box.
The 1835 Burghley Inventory records: ‘Japan Closet, Japan in the Glass case opposite the door(s), sic, G. J A double diamond shaped Box with two divisions.’
The 1867 Burghley Inventory records: ‘Cabinets, No 88 Japan Closet, A gold japan double diamond shaped box with 2 divisions.’
