Vintage Japanese Black Lacquered Music Jewellery Box. Music Jewellery Box with Two Ballerinas.

This jewel box, or music box with two ballerinas, is all black lacquered wood with oriental paint on the outside. On the lid there is a clear reference to mount fuji (see photo of the lid), but all the other decorative elements are oriental, with small inlays in mother of pearl. Inside the box is divided in several compartments including a top compartment that overflows when the box is opened. The whole inside of the box is lined with a pink velvet fabric. In one of these compartments we have the two ballerinas dancing together and projected on the mirrors that make up the inside of the lid (see video and photos). As we know the music is triggered by winding the base, but I don't know the music. This music box has a key and it is working. This jewellery box is also a singular music box, it is an interesting decorative object. For me it is in good vintage condition. For those who appreciate pieces of oriental or japanese origin, like this piece, you have here a good example. However this box presents some wear and tear of time and use and it even seems to me that it already had small restorations on the lacquered exterior, because you can see that there are small chips and small parts that have lost the original shine. On the other hand, the lacquer also presents small striations of time. Inside we also notice that the velvet is old and used, we notice the tips of the nails near the mirrors. The mechanism that supports the ballerinas, which is in metal, is working well, but we can see that it already has some rust and oxidation points. The metal is really blackened. The ballerinas, which seem to me to be made of plastic, move perfectly. But the largest ballerina, the ballerina on the right, has wear on the paint, on the front, and the skirt is a little damaged and darkened. Also note that the arm that lifts is broken (see photos of details of the dancers). If these photos are not completely enlightening I can send others.

Ref. : JD23SB75