Japanese case

This does not belong here; but I know not where to place it.

This took the fancy of my 10-year-old grandson while meandering through an English car boot sale. Such a fancy that he parted with some of his pocket money in order to have it. Now he would like to know all about it. That’s what comes from dragging him round French brocantes during his summer stays with us.

What I know, although I haven’t seen it to handle, is that it measures 23 cm x 11.5 cm x 30 cm high. It is made of wood, which my daughter thinks it is bamboo. The picture trims, handle, catch and hinges are brass. The wire retaining loop on the hinges prevents the lid from fully opening. The screws are Phillips style (available from 1933); but these are ill-fitting and probably replacements for the original screws, which would have been flat under the head, or might have been a smaller gauge to fit the countersink in the fittings, probably the latter. The case could have been made before or after 1933, the correct sized screw would have had a slotted head.

The external white decor and the pictures appear, according to my daughter, to be made from smooth sticky material, perhaps something like Fablon.

What do people think it is? A saki bottle carrier? An Imperial Scrolls transporter? For Barbie dolls or even football boots?

Thank you all for looking.

 

I’ve seen these. They’re relatively modern, as in the last twenty or thirty years, decorative wine bottle boxes. And yes, the screws aren’t replacements, the ones I’ve seen looked a bit dodgy on fit.
Good on yer boy for being interested.

 

Here's a similar. New to us; vintage to a 10-year old. Good for him for taking an interest, trusting his eye.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144260389551

Debora

 

Applause, Applause! Encourage the lad!