Elegant Antique Black with Gold Stars Lacquer Tea Box (with Silvered Interior) green snake fat balls barely contained by

fat balls barely contained by the cage

The primary glaze is a rich mustard-y yellow-brown

an a few of the bolts seem to have been replaced by nails

but clean and bright

I have enough French to get the gist of the text at left

Elegant Antique Black with Gold Stars Lacquer Tea Box (with Silvered Interior) green snake fat balls barely contained byA super sharp and smart looking antique lacquered box, feeling like a night sky filled with tiny golden stars. I believe this was made to function as a tea box, but whether made in Japan or in Europe I am not completely sure, late 19th early 20th I believe. Makes me think of fine Chinese export porcelain very delicately hand painted with gold stars and flourishes, and feels like just the right sort of box to place on the bedside table in a guest room