Cigarette box - Repoussé - Silver plated brass, Cedar - Japanese Repoussé Box

1920s Antique Taisho period, Japanese Repoussé Metal Box | Rooster & Floral Motif, unfiltered cigarettes Box

Step back into the 1920s, Taisho period, with this beautifully crafted Japanese export box. Originally designed during the Art Deco era to hold standard 70mm unfiltered cigarettes, this small but striking piece captures the elegance of early 20th-century tabletop accessories. With its richly detailed relief work and beautifully aged patina, it is a captivating piece of history that works perfectly today as a desk accessory, stamp box, or display piece.

The Craftsmanship & Origin
The Art of Repoussé: The lid features a highly detailed, three-dimensional relief created using traditional repoussé and chasing techniques. The metalworker hammered the design from the reverse side to create the raised forms, then refined the details on the front.

Materials: Cast in a base metal (likely an antimony alloy common in Japanese export wares of the period) and finished with a silver-colored wash. Time has gently worn the finish, revealing a warm, dimensional patina that highlights the intricate tooling.

Wood Lined: The interior is lined with natural cedar wood, a traditional choice used to absorb humidity and keep the contents (like tobacco or gummed paper stamps) perfectly dry.

Origin: Stamped with a raised "MADE IN JAPAN" mark on a beautifully textured, daisy-patterned base. This marks it as a distinct export piece, likely produced in the bustling artisan foundries of Yokohama, Osaka, or Tokyo during the Taisho or early Showa period (1920s–1930s).

Rich Cultural Symbolism
The artwork features a classic Kachō-ga (bird-and-flower) motif, deeply rooted in Eastern tradition and rich with meaning:

The Rooster Family: The prominent rooster, hen, and chick represent vitality, protection, and family harmony. Historically, the rooster's morning crow was believed to drive away dark forces and disease.

Chrysanthemums (Kiku): Framing the birds are lush chrysanthemums, revered in Eastern herbalism as a symbol of health, rejuvenation, and longevity.

Plum Blossoms (Ume): Woven along the sides and top, the plum blossom represents courage and resilience, famously blooming in the harsh snows of late winter just before spring arrives.

Dimensions & Historic Utility
Measurements: 8 cm x 5 cm (approx. 3.1" x 2").

Historical Use: Sized specifically for the 70mm short, unfiltered cigarettes popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

Modern Appeal: Today, this versatile footprint makes it an exceptional trinket box, a dry case for matches (vestas), a business card holder, or simply a beautifully storied piece to elevate your nightstand or desk decor.