The pattern on this example relates favourably to small lacquer boxes dating from the mid to late Ming Dynasty. Cf. one in the collection of the late King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden illustrated by Gyllensvard and Pope, Chinese Art, no. 125; and another sold in our New York Rooms, 2 June 1989, lot 366.

Moss suggests the box may have been used for seal paste, incense powder or possibly to hold cosmetics