Painted antique cigarette box-Oriental?

Hi all,got this interesting little painted cigarette box last week. Looks to be pewter. The figures on the lid look oriental? What you think of age and origin? Its 11cm long,8cm wide and 4cm high. Pity that the little box is not in great condition. Thank you for any comments.

 

Charming, pity about the damage.
I agree, East Asian. The figure at the back on the left seems to have been wearing an East Asian conical hat.

 

Hi AJ,thank you for the comment and confirmation.

 

Unusual paint design for a metal box! Quite interesting.

 

It reminds me of marbled paper and cardboard.

 

Ditto! At least for the marbled paper. I hadn't thought of cardboard.

 

Thanks for the comment.

 

I agree,looks like a very complicated paint job (and a lot of effort) for such a little box. Maybe it’s been stuck on then? But it surely chips and peels like paint.

 

I would guess it's an overlay of marbled paper.


The patterning flows smoothly over the various surfaces.

It is a charming box.

 

Well Ok,marbled paper then. I appreciate the information.
Thank you for the reply