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I have had this in my private collection for over 20 years. It is probably Russian or made in the USSR and it dates to the 1920s or so. Measures about 3 1/8" by 4 1/2" and is a little over 1/2" high.
The little miniature hinged cigarette compact size box appears to be birdseye maple (or maybe burl walnut?). I had one collector assess this as a snuff box, but an expert stated what I had always thought, that it cigarette compact.
The box is ultra rare and unique and boasts what would have been considered erotica in the early 1900s. Hand crafted, the front scenic design is inlay with celluloid and shows an Asian woman peering out from behind a door while a male suitor, while holding his hat in one hand, presents a flower bouquet to her. What makes this even more unique is that when you open the box, the celluloid design continues on the inside of the lid and it shows the scene on the other side of the Chinese or Japanese woman's home. The surprise is that the woman is naked and you see her bare bottom as she discreetly hides her nudity from the gentleman.
This is authentic and being sold as I found it over 2 decades ago. It is in amazingly good condition, excellent vintage condition with very little wear. It's been stored in a smoke free environment.
I've enjoyed this probably more than anything I've ever collected over my 25 year career of buying and selling. I've never seen another like it and can assure the lucky buyer that it is even better in person than on the computer.
No damage, repair, missing sections. When you open the box, the hinge is a little tight, but it doesn't affect the functionality or overall appearance. |
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