JAPANESE SILVER TONE LIDDED CASKET WITH RAISED DRAGON RELIEF DESIGN.

THE SILVER TONE IS CREATED BY A SILVER LAYER ON EITHER ANTINOMY OR COPPER - AM NO EXPERT ON THESE MATTERS SO AM NOT ABLE TO BE DEFINITIVE.

NOT SURE OF AGE - PURCHASED ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO FROM ANTIQUE FAIR INDUNSTABLE. BEEN STORED AWAY FOR MOST OF THE TIME SINCE THEN.

HAVE LISTED AS JAPANESE AND NOT CHINESE ON THE BASIS THAT THE DRAGONS HAVE 3TOES / CLAWS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CHINESE DRAGONS HAVE 4 OR 5 TOES.

THEREARE SOME AREAS WHERE THE SILVERED EFFECT IS CLEANED OFF.

THERE ARE NO DENTS OR DAMAGE ON THE OUTSIDE BUT IT HAS THE EXPECTED SIGNS OF AGE AND WEAR. THE HINGES WORK WELL BUT THERE IS A MINOR AREA OF DAMAGE NEAR THE RIGHT HAND HINGE PRESUMABLY THE RESULT OF THE OPENING AND SHUTTING OF THE LID - CANNOT BE SEEN WHEN THE LID IS CLOSED.

HAVE NEVER TRIED TO CLEAN OR RESTORE THE CASKET BUT COULD LOOK REALLY GOOD WITH SOME TLC.

THERE ARE SOME INSCRIPTIONS ON THE INSIDE OF THE LID (SEE PHOTO).

WONDERING IF THE CASKET WAS USED AS A JEWELLERY BOX AS THE BOTTOM AND SIDES OF THE CASKET ON THE INSIDEARE LINED AND THERE ISSILK PADDING ON THE BOTTOM.

IT IS HEAVY WITH A WEIGHT OVER 1KG.

APPROX MEASUREMENTS ARE 18.5cm WIDE x 9.5cm DEEP x 7.5cm HIGH.