Japanese Two-Tiered Box

Gold cranes cross Mount Fuji in the dark.

Japanese craftsmen made this two-tiered box in wood in the mid to late 19th century, finished in black lacquer. Stacking boxes of this kind are commonly used to serve food, especially for festive occasions. Each tier shows a gold painted scene of cranes in flight, pines, and the cone of Mount Fuji, and the lid carries more cranes. The black lacquer is deep and glossy, with a few small scuffs along the gold lid edge.

About 8 inches tall and 10 square. It looks as good closed as open.