This elegant box has grooved corners and a slightly domed lid. It is decorated with reeds, and with plovers flying above waves in gold and aokin flat makie on a finely prepared aokin pear skin ground. Rectangular pieces of cut-gold foil have been carefully laid, followed by delicate makie lines. The interior and base has a densely applied fine powder pear-skin ground. It was probably a ready-made piece for the domestic market, 6.8cm.
The 1835 Burghley Inventory records: ‘Japan Closet, Japan in the Glass case opposite the door(s), sic, B. G A Box with two divisions’.
The 1867 Burghley Inventory records: ‘Cabinets, No 88 Japan Closet, A black and gold japan box with 2 divisions’.
