Japanese Marquetry and Black Lacquer Lidded Box with Interior Tray decorative weaving and on one side some

and on one side some of the blue bleeds into the cream

Woven together are distorted proverbs

though am unsure of its maker

the other with the flower and stamen pointing downward

a lot to fewer men

Japanese Marquetry and Black Lacquer Lidded Box with Interior Tray decorative weaving and on one side someI believe this box is Meiji period Japanese, as I have found a few other pieces cabinets mostly with very very similar marquetry patterning, called Yosegi in Japan, combined with black lacquered interiors as is the case here. What I really love about it is the way the triangular motif plays out across the top and sides, in different varieties of wood subtly and surprisingly defying expectations. Really sharp looking, and a useful box too, with an