Vintage Chinese hardwood mother of pearl inlaid hinged cigarette box

Description

Intricate inlaid box with mother of pearl in a design of a classic Chinese pleasure boating scene with island pavilions and birds flying in the clouds.
A wood rectangular box with rounded edges that has been stained a reddish rosewood color. The lid top has been inlaid with tiny cut designs in mother of pearl of a pleasure boating scene on a lake with pavilions. The mother of pearl contrasts nicely with the dark wood.  The wood has a fine grain and has a weight to it. When opened you can get a whiff of teak wood. The wood has a nice soft smooth feel to it.  The box has been shaped to form rounded edges top and bottom. The wood was probably heated and steamed to take a bent rounded shape. There are tiny brass nails holding the ends of the box to the top and bottom. There is a hidden hinge that lets the lid open and close.
MEASUREMENTS
4 ¼” (10.8 cm) long x 2 7/8” (7.3 cm) wide x 1 3/8” (3.5 cm) tall. Weighs 4.3 oz (120 g)
CONDITION
There are small wear scratches on the wood surface. There is a lighter spot on the lid edge but it is as smooth as its surroundings. The front edge of the bottom portion is little lighter in color than the rest because the stain has worn off a bit from use.
I think the box may have been a cigarette case, as it is easy to open and fits the size of cigarettes. The box fits nicely in the hand with a nice smooth feel.
ITEM
: V-1693
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