A 19th Century Bamboo and Lacquer Picnic Box

An exceptionally fine late 19th century picnic box in the form of a pagoda, the roof and walls disassembling as compartments, all modelled using gilded lacquer and woven bamboo.

The use of lacquer has a long standing history in Japan. This was promoted by the fact that the tree which produces the sap used for the production of lacquer is native to the country. It is a preferable material for boxes of any kind, since it is very light and fairly water resistant. This ‘jubako’ or picnic box, is of particularly charming shape; it is not only practical, but highly decorative.