Japanese musical jewellery box : Miss Margaret Elder

Black lacquered wooden musical jewellery box set on small feet, painted with traditional Japanese scenes including pagodas, mountains, gardens and sailing boats. The lid is edged with an inset border of mother of pearl.

The inner edge of the lid and the base of the box is lined with light red corded velveteen. The open lid pulls back a black lacquered and painted tray suspended on metal arms, which contains a central drawer with round red knob, and a lidded compartment on each side with side hinges. Each lid is pulled open to the side by means of an orange cotton tassel secured to the lid by a metal ring. The key for the box is contained in the central drawer.

The base of the box contains one large compartment and a smaller one divided in two to hold rings or earrings. Behind this is the musical mechanism, connected to a wind up key beneath the base of the box, which is protected by a black lacquered cover painted with two trees.

This box was purchased in Japan by 2/42736 Signaller Robert George Elder while he was on leave. Elder served in Korea in 1955-1956 with the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. He sent it to Australia as a gift for his sister, Margaret.

• Japanese earring : Miss Margaret Elder