Incense Box (Kodansu)

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Incense Box (Kodansu)
Japan; Edo period; early 19th c.

Three sides of the box are made from a single piece of ivory. At one end there is a door-like structure fastened by hinges and a lock. Inside there are two vertically positioned drawers with metal knobs to pull them out. The front of the box is decorated with small, realistically presented insects in various precious materials applied to the ivory.