Japanese Snuff Bottle Lac Burgauté Aogai 19th Century Edo / Meiji Period Antique Lacquer Laque

A beautiful antique Japanese lac burgauté snuff bottle.
Japan, 19th century.

The pear-shaped snuff bottle lacquered on lightweight wood with a mother-of-pearl and gold inlaid geometric decor.

About Lac burgauté:
In China this technique is referred to as lo tien, and in Japan it is called aogai. Lac burgauté is an East Asian technique of decorating lacquer ware with inlaid designs employing shaped pieces of the iridescent blue-green shell of the sea-ear (Haliotis). Originating in China in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) but very popular during the Kangxi period (1662-1722) in the Qing dynasty 1644-1912). 
It was also widely used by Japanese craftsmen in the Edo period (1603–1867).
The workmanship was exquisite and costly and so it was used principally to produce small objects such as tiny boxes, miniature table screens, vases, little silver-lined wine cups and snuff bottles such as this one.

Dimensions:
Height incl. stopper 6 cm, height without stopper 5.2 cm, width 4 cm, depth 2 cm.

Condition (DM for more pictures)
In good condition with light signs of wear in accordance with its age.

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Code: A00482