The box is constructed with four drawers built in for storing tobacco and smaller pipes. One of the drawers contains an open brass ash receptacle. The top of the box is finished with copper corner pieces, and copper braces wrap around top and bottom edges. The drawers are fitted with tiny round copper knobs. There are cut outs on both sides in the front to hold the pipe as well as curved cut outs on both sides for carrying the box when the brazier is not in place. The domed and handled brass brazier is precision-fit into a round opening cut into the top, allowing the wood box to be carried with the brass handle in addition to the side cut outs. The long pipe, which has a tortoise shell finish and brass fittings, may be of a somewhat later period.

Tobacco boxes reached their peak use in the Edo period, when smoking was widespread among both men and women and etiquette demanded that tobacco be offered to visitors or friends. As a sign of relaxation and welcome, smoking trays played an important role in Japanese hospitality. This was also true of commercial shops. The strong kizami tobacco was smoked only in small amounts in slender pipes with tiny pipe bowls (kiseru). Production of these boxes ceased at the end of the 19th century, when cigarettes became fashionable and virtually replaced pipe smoking. Finished on the top and all four sides, this finely-crafted old box makes a charming interior accessory which views well from any angle.

CONDITION is excellent; the wood has wonderful original patina. One tiny copper corner brace missing from the back side. DIMENSIONS: Wood box is 8” (23 cm) square x 8” (23 cm) high. Brass brazier is 6” (15.2 cm) diameter x 6 ½” (16.5 cm) high. Pipe is 14” (35.5 cm) long.