Antique Japanese kogo, or incense box, used in traditional tea ceremony. The box is squared in shape with the lid ornately done in maki-e gold and red lacquer chrysanthemums, resembling the front cover of a story book with the revealed inner "page" done in silver. The interior of the box and base are done in nashiji gold flake lacquer, sometimes called pear skin for resembling the texture of the Asian pear.

Edo period, late 18th century

Provenance: From TZ Shiota of San Francisco, CA

Dimensions: 3 1/4" L x 2 3/4" W x 5/8" H