Japanese maki-e lacquer tobacco box with mitsuba aoi and floral diamond-linked pattern

This Japanese tobacco box is constructed using the traditional maki-e lacquer technique, characterized by its deep, dark finish decorated with intricate gold-toned designs.

The exterior surfaces are adorned with a recurring diamond-linked pattern intertwined with delicate floral motifs. A prominent design element is the mitsuba aoi, the triple-hollyhock crest associated with the Tokugawa shogunate, which is featured prominently on the faces of the box. The box includes a metal top panel featuring a circular perforated vent or burner area with a honeycomb pattern, typical of tobacco heating or storage implements.

Below the main compartment, the box incorporates integrated drawers, facilitating the organization of tobacco-related accessories. The object displays a refined combination of woodwork, black lacquer, and gold metalwork, typical of high-quality Japanese craftwork. With dimensions of 14.8 cm in height, 15.0 cm in length, and 11.4 cm in width, the piece serves as both a functional tobacco storage unit and an ornamental display of traditional Japanese decorative arts.