Tole Painted Cigarette Tin, Signed and Dated 1949 cream blue brown There is a very faint—noticeable

There is a very faint—noticeable only in certain light—ring mark (water stain) on the top of the box

but also the secular aspects of tea and Japanese life

This piece is in perfect condition other than the tiny surface chip on the underside

With a hand-painted papier-mache head and a body sewn of two complementary brown and white patterned fabrics

a third is missing

Tole Painted Cigarette Tin, Signed and Dated 1949 cream blue brown There is a very faint—noticeableWhile there is a fair amount of toleware (painted tin, mostly boxes of various sorts) out there which I don't find very interesting, I'm a softie for especially carefully painted pieces like this cigarette box, which showcase the skillfulness of their makers, usually women. This very fine one, with lovely bouquet and pretty gold border, is justifiably signed on the back: Blanche Wood (what a name!) from Cornish, New Hampshire, 1949. Good for holding