A Japanese jukogo [tiered incense box] Muromachi period, 15th century

the rounded rectangular box of three-tiers and flush-fitting cover, decorated in gold hiramaki-e and kimpun on a dense nashiji ground, with a man carrying two pails towards a thatched dwelling, a large pine tree overhanging, the exterior with plovers (chidori) in flight, the interior of the cover decorated with sprigs of pine which continues in each layer, nashiji interior, lead rims

7.4 by 8.2cm. (2⅞ by 3¼ in.)