A hexagonal origami-shaped box, Edo period, late 17th/mid 18th Century.

The lid of this box is carved to represent six origami (folded paper) triangles, and in such a way that the tips seem to fold underneath each other. It is decorated with pine, bamboo and cherry blossom in thinly raised gold makie, cut-gold foil, and painted lines on a densely applied gold powder pear-skin ground, 8.7cm in diameter.
The 1835 Burghley Inventory records: “Japan Closet, Glass case opposite the window, A small sexagon Box. Gold”.
The 1867 Burghley Inventory records: “Cabinets, No 88 Japan Closet, A small gold sexagon box”.