A VERY FINE AND SMALL LACQUER AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAID BOX AND COVERJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The small, rectangular lacquer box and cover likely used to store incense, applied with silver rims, the cover superbly decorated in gold takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and with tiny hirame flakes, depicting a hanging basket containing overly ripe pomegranates and their leaves, surrounded by a stunning mosaic of shaped gold, silver, and aogai flakes, an aogai-inlaid fly hovering above the basket, all within a lobed silver reserve. The sides, underside, and interior of densely sprinkled nashiji.SIZE 1.7 x 7.2 x 5.1 cmCondition: Good condition with associated surface wear. Some scattered losses to inlays. The underside with a small chip to one edge.Provenance: From a noted Czech private collection.Note the striking change of color to the aogai inlays when exposed to light from different angles. Notes RefButton4