Nippon Jar? What is it?

This cylinder shape Nippon jar is 5 3/8" tall and 3 1/8" in diameter. The little recessed lid is just over 1 1/2" in diameter. Any thoughts on what this piece would have been used for? Tea caddy is the only thing I've come up with but that's a WAG.

I thought it might have had another top, sort of like a ginger jar top, that fit over the little one, but there's no sign of there having been one. I'd think another top would have worn away some of the gold banding, but it's all there.

Thanks for your help!

 

On a tea caddy, the lid usually fits pretty tight.

 

Looks as if it might have held violet or rose scented powder to be lightly patted over Milady's shoulders before the ball.

(Reference: L. M. Alcott)

 

I think I found some info. Van Patten's book shows a similarly shaped jar with the ginger jar type lid and says it's a 3 piece jar with inner lid. So I think my hunch about it having had another top is probably right. (Van Patten doesn't say what the jar would have been used for.)

I also found this on Ebay. (No comment on the info about the lid.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nippon-Galle-Moriage-Hand-Painted-Covered-Talcum-Jar-/272704110690

 

Nice piece, and I'm glad you found some information.

not to run you off topic again, but I love!!!! the listing you linked to.....item condition is nearly perfect........with three exceptions.................so does two exceptions make it perfect?

 

I thought that,too, Mansons, but decided not to comment.