Japanese Woven Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1880
Japanese Woven Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1880
3690
A finely made late 19th-century Japanese woven brass trinket box, dating to circa 1880. Delicate in appearance yet remarkably skilful in construction, this charming object demonstrates the precision and patience of Japanese metalworking during the Meiji period.
The box is formed from closely interwoven strands of brass, creating a beautifully textured surface with a soft golden tone. Its intricate basket-weave construction gives the piece a light, almost textile-like quality, while the metalwork provides strength and permanence. The subtle variation in colour and patina adds depth to the woven pattern and enhances its tactile appeal.
Small boxes of this type were made to hold personal treasures-jewellery, keepsakes, visiting cards, sewing items, or other precious small objects-and were admired as much for their craftsmanship as for their practical function. The refined technique reflects the long Japanese tradition of elevating everyday objects through material quality, meticulous workmanship, and restrained decorative design.
A delightful and unusual example of Meiji-period Japanese decorative arts, this woven brass box would make an elegant addition to a dressing table, desk, cabinet of curiosities, or collection of Japanese metalwork. Its compact scale, warm colour, and highly accomplished woven design make it a particularly engaging object for display.
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