Lacquered wooden kobako, Japan, early Edo period (1603–1868) Diamond-shaped, decorated on a black background with a slight nashiji finish featuring a hiramaki design in gold and sabi nuri depicting two butterflies facing each other, reminiscent of the Hōjō clan’s kamon. The sides and interior are finished in nashiji and mura nashiji lacquer. The rim of the box is edged with lead. Inside is a collector’s label with a commentary. Underneath the box is a label from Dr. Mène’s collection. Dimensions: 11.2 x 7 cm Signs of wear; minor damage to the lacquer on the underside. Provenance: Sale of Dr. Mène’s collection, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Mes Charpentier and Lair-Dubreuil, April 21 and April 22–26, 1913, lot 1195.