The lid of this box is carved to represent six origami, or 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.’
Exhibited: ‘Export Lacquer: Reflection of the West in Black & Gold Makie.’ 2008, Kyoto Museum & Suntory Museum, Tokyo, Cat. No.219.
