An 18th century Japanese export sawasa snuff box

An 18th century Japanese export sawasa snuff box,

with incuse character mark to cover and base,

oval form, the flush cover with typical bas relief decoration of a central prunus tree with a bird on a branch within a black lacquered roundel with a prunus tree to either side and black border, the sides with a flowering vine with birds, the base with central cloud tree with birds in a roundel, within a border of flowers, gilt interior, length 9cm.

Sawasa is the general term used for the 17th and 18th century Asian metal work technique for objects made from copper alloy with gilt relief decoration with black lacquered highlights.