Asian silver box with tassles and cinnabar (I think)

This looks like silver but I find no marks. Possibly for snuff? It measures 2" high. Same on both front and back. Apparently it is worn as around the neck or waist? I'm lost on this one! Thank you!! You are all so amazing!!

 

It looks a little like a Japanese inro which was hung on a waist "belt/sash".

 

that appears to be what it is! Thank you!

 

You use a netsuke at the top of the cord to keep it from sliding out of your sash.

 

Nice and rare piece.
IMO, it looks more like a chinese piece. It should be used to store face makeup powder or perfume powder. This piece is definitely made for woman use.
I have a strange feeling when I saw this piece at first glance, I am guessing this one was probably once used in a Brothel.(Probably just because of the attractive flower pattern.)

 

I am not quite fimilar with cinnabar.
The main concern for me is these two points. And wait for experts to explain.

 

Cinnabar the toxic mineral is used to color the red lacquer that is what we usually mean by the word. This explains about real & fake & what to look for.

 

It looks like melted plastic of some type,but like most objects photos do little compared to real life.

 

I saw something like this when I was visiting Japan. I forget what they're called, though.

 

The cinnabar looks like faux cinnabar, man-made resin. That means it is probably 50s or later. Could even be recent.

They are called inro. As Holly said. I don't think this is it.

 

Inro! Yeah them's the stuff!

 

thanks for all the comments, if it is Chinese for perfume/powder etc is there a name for it?

 

We would like to call it "Xiang Nang" - "perfume bag" or "sachet"