In addition to miniature animals, another obsession that has revealed itself through my picking is one for unusual boxes of all shapes and sizes. This pumpkin-shaped (or sometimes described as melon-shaped) rich green and bright orange lacquer box with incised vine, leaf and bird design may the most exquisite among them. I am uncertain of its age or origin, though I have found late 19th century Burmese lacquer boxes with the exact same shape and handle, which at least according to one source were used to carry cooked food to monasteries—an offer to the monks as an act of merit-earning.
I purchased this one from an estate in Newton, MA that included gorgeous baskets, textiles, boxes, etc from around the world as well as a great collection of clothing, including several pieces from Asiatica in KansasCity.
6ʺW × 6ʺD × 5.25ʺH. There are a few small pen marks on surface and a bit of wear to inter lacquer lip, but overall excellent condition.
