Old Folk Art Puzzle Box with Inlaid Stars and Shields wooden posts Jean de La Fontaine (1621-95)

Jean de La Fontaine (1621-95) collected fables from a wide variety of sources

Japan made some pretty good pieces

I'd guess 1930s or so

but also resilience

with an opening of 4" across at lip and 3 3/4" diameter at base

Old Folk Art Puzzle Box with Inlaid Stars and Shields wooden posts Jean de La Fontaine (1621-95)I love an old folk art box with inlays, and a puzzle box even more, even better for stars on top and a red velvet lining! This box is not 100% perfect in its puzzle functioning: there is one missing bit on one short side, which allows one to cheat the proper lid opening process by raising the lid over the screw if desired, but one can still open it the right way by rotating one half of the lid out, then sliding the lid over, then rotating the other