Black Lacquer Snack Box

This simple lacquered box was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box would have opened to reveal a bounty of popular snack foods, such as roasted melon seeds, dried fruits, and soybeans toasted with cinnamon, fennel, and other spices. The square box is coated inside and out with a layer of black lacquer, now crackled and textured from years of use.