Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century Fixed on an elaborate wood four-legged mythological head stand, the exterior decorated all around with trailing vine in gold, ivory and tortoiseshell takamaki-e, the interior similarly embellished with the same design, the inside of the cover lacquered with a bee and a butterfly hovering over a tsurureishi (bitter melon) and surmounted by a finial in the form of a leafy sprig of busshukan (fingered citron) bordered by ho-o (phoenixes) and minogame (bushy-tailed tortoise) embellished in gold takamaki-e; unsigned. 10cm x 15.2cm (4in x 6in). (2).