Unusual Japanese Lacquer Mailbox From The Edo Period (fubako)

An unusual Japanese lacquer letter box (fubako), Edo period, first half of the 19th century or earlier. Of overlapping lid (kabusebuta) form and unusually decorated with thick white, red and black raised lacquer on a gold speckled ground, imitating the kinkarakawa (gold Chinese leather) technique, the patina of age now giving an impression of enameled patinated bronze; the box with two circular fittings in (worn) gilt metal each attached with a loose ring, and the inside decorated in nashiji, with a flying crane mon.

Measurements:
Length: 30.5cm (11.8in)
Height: 8.5cm (3.3in)
Depth 12.7cm (5in)

Condition:
Exterior: Wear/patination appropriate to age. Minor chips around edges of base. The gilding from the two circular metal fittings has worn away.
Interior: Fork-shaped surface crack in the lacquer on the underside of the lid, on which the flying crane mon is clear. Wear and a few small lacquer flakes lifting from the floor of the lower section, on which the flying crane mon is worn.

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