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ID #SA1239444
FOR SALE
£45
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Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror
For sale by Kings-Lane
for sale €53     $57
£45
Kings-Lane

Kings-Lane

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2026
Browse dealers 16 items
Id #SA1239444
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Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

1940 - 1960
For Sale by Kings-Lane
Description

A beautiful mid-20th-century vintage Japanese lift-off vanity trinket box, showcasing the prestigious metalworking traditions of Isfahan.

The perimeter and deep sides of the box feature exceptionally dense, hand-chased floral scrollwork and repeating geometric borders executed in a traditional technique (engraved repoussé).

This intricate texture is worked into a heavy copper or brass alloy base metal and finished with a silver plating. The flat underside exhibits an honest, authentic warm copper patina where decades of gentle handling have naturally worn the plate thin.

The completely detachable lift-off lid is inlaid with a polished bone panel featuring a fine, hand-painted miniature Japanese Geisha scene of a traditional female court figure posed in a stylised garden. Turning the lid over reveals an integrated, original inset glass vanity mirror.

Designed as a drop-on lid with no hinge, this compact box is exceptionally well-suited for use as a decorative dressing table piece, a pocket pill box, or a safe container for small rings and keepsakes.

· Origin: Japan (most likely)

· Date of Manufacture: Circa 1950

· Material: Silver-plated base metal with an inlaid hand-painted bone panel

· Condition: Very good vintage condition. The hand-painted miniature remains crisp and brightly coloured. The lift-off lid fits snugly onto the base rim. The interior mirror glass is completely intact with minimal aging. Beautiful, untouched age-related patina to the base metal.

Dimensions

Length: 5.0 cm (approx. 2.0 inches)

Width: 3.8 cm (approx. 1.5 inches)

Height: 2.4 cm (approx. 0.9 inches)

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Delivery, Returns & Terms of Sale

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Shipping & Packaging:

All our items are well packaged using a double-walled "box-in-a-box" method to guarantee safe transit. Dispatch is usually within 2 working days (often faster) via fully tracked and insured Royal Mail delivery services.

• UK mainland: This item is offered with free delivery when dispatched within UK mainland postcodes.

• Europe: & Rest of World: Please contact us for a quote prior to payment

Transit Damage Protocol:

Please inspect the items immediately upon arrival. In the highly unlikely event of transit damage, it must be reported to us with photographic evidence within 48 hours of delivery so we can process a valid insurance claim.

Statutory Returns (UK/EU Consumers):

You possess a statutory right to cancel and return this purchase for any reason within 14 days of delivery. The buyer is entirely responsible for arranging and paying for secure, fully insured and tracked return postage.

Return Condition & Risk:

Returned items remain the financial responsibility of the buyer until safely signed for by us. Items must arrive in their exact original condition. Any return transit damage due to poor packaging may result in a deduction of up to 100% of the refund value under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Trade / B2B Transactions:

Transactions conducted on an explicit dealer-to-dealer or trade basis are final and exempt from standard distance-selling "change-of-mind" returns.

Simultaneous Listings:

Our unique items are listed across multiple channels simultaneously. In the rare event of a synchronised double-sale, the item will be awarded to the earliest checkout timestamp, and the secondary buyer will be issued an immediate 100% refund via Stripe or your original payment method.

Date of Manufacture

Kings-Lane has dated this Japanese Silver Pill Box to the 1950s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
3.8cm (1.50")
Depth
2.4cm (0.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239444
Description
A beautiful mid-20th-century vintage Japanese lift-off vanity trinket box, showcasing the prestigious metalworking traditions of Isfahan.
“
The perimeter and deep sides of the box feature exceptionally dense, hand-chased floral scrollwork and repeating geometric borders executed in a traditional technique (engraved repoussé).
Kings-Lane
fig 1. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 1. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

This intricate texture is worked into a heavy copper or brass alloy base metal and finished with a silver plating. The flat underside exhibits an honest, authentic warm copper patina where decades of gentle handling have naturally worn the plate thin.

fig 2. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 2. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

The completely detachable lift-off lid is inlaid with a polished bone panel featuring a fine, hand-painted miniature Japanese Geisha scene of a traditional female court figure posed in a stylised garden. Turning the lid over reveals an integrated, original inset glass vanity mirror.

fig 3. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 3. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

Designed as a drop-on lid with no hinge, this compact box is exceptionally well-suited for use as a decorative dressing table piece, a pocket pill box, or a safe container for small rings and keepsakes.

fig 4. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 4. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

· Origin: Japan (most likely)

· Date of Manufacture: Circa 1950

· Material: Silver-plated base metal with an inlaid hand-painted bone panel

· Condition: Very good vintage condition. The hand-painted miniature remains crisp and brightly coloured. The lift-off lid fits snugly onto the base rim. The interior mirror glass is completely intact with minimal aging. Beautiful, untouched age-related patina to the base metal.

fig 5. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 5. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

Dimensions

Length: 5.0 cm (approx. 2.0 inches)

Width: 3.8 cm (approx. 1.5 inches)

Height: 2.4 cm (approx. 0.9 inches)

Delivery, Returns & Terms of Sale

Shipping & Packaging:

All our items are well packaged using a double-walled "box-in-a-box" method to guarantee safe transit. Dispatch is usually within 2 working days (often faster) via fully tracked and insured Royal Mail delivery services.

fig 6. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 6. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

• UK mainland: This item is offered with free delivery when dispatched within UK mainland postcodes.

• Europe: & Rest of World: Please contact us for a quote prior to payment

Transit Damage Protocol:

Please inspect the items immediately upon arrival. In the highly unlikely event of transit damage, it must be reported to us with photographic evidence within 48 hours of delivery so we can process a valid insurance claim.

fig 7. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 7. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

Statutory Returns (UK/EU Consumers):

You possess a statutory right to cancel and return this purchase for any reason within 14 days of delivery. The buyer is entirely responsible for arranging and paying for secure, fully insured and tracked return postage.

fig 8. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 8. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

Return Condition & Risk:

Returned items remain the financial responsibility of the buyer until safely signed for by us. Items must arrive in their exact original condition. Any return transit damage due to poor packaging may result in a deduction of up to 100% of the refund value under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

fig 9. A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
fig 9. Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

Trade / B2B Transactions:

Transactions conducted on an explicit dealer-to-dealer or trade basis are final and exempt from standard distance-selling "change-of-mind" returns.

Simultaneous Listings:

Our unique items are listed across multiple channels simultaneously. In the rare event of a synchronised double-sale, the item will be awarded to the earliest checkout timestamp, and the secondary buyer will be issued an immediate 100% refund via Stripe or your original payment method.

Date of Manufacture

Kings-Lane has dated this Japanese Silver Pill Box to the 1950s.

Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
3.8cm (1.50")
Depth
2.4cm (0.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239444
Kings-Lane
Kings-Lane
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2026
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Kings-Lane Profile Page

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A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
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Archive I A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.

Japanese Silver-plated Metal Pill Box with Hand-painted Lid & Mirror

Archive II A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View II
Archive III A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View III
Archive IV A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View IV
Archive V A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View V
Archive VI A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View VI
Archive VII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View VII
Archive VIII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View VIII
Archive IX A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View IX
Archive X A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View X
Archive XI A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XI
Archive XII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XII
Archive XIII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XIII
Archive XIV A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XIV
Archive XV A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XV
Archive XVI A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XVI
Archive XVII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XVII
Archive XVIII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XVIII
Archive XIX A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XIX
Archive XX A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XX
Archive XXI A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XXI
Archive XXII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XXII
Archive XXIII A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XXIII
Archive XXIV A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. View XXIV
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07450 298995
Location
Oxfordshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Sep 2026
Items For Sale 16
Kings-Lane
Kings-Lane
Verified Since Sep 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Sep 2026
For Sale
16
A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
Japanese silver-plated metal pill box with hand-painted lid & mirror
Ref: SA1239444
A small rectangular silver-plated metal pill box with intricately chased foliate sides and a hand-painted enamel lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPill Boxes
  • Period1940 - 1960
  • StyleJapanese
  • MaterialSilver Plate, Metal, Enamel
  • ColourSilver and Multi-colour
  • MotifsChased foliate engraving, Hand-painted figure, Beaded rim, Enamel inset lid
  • SizeH 5 cm (2 in) x W 3.8 cm (1 in) x D 2.4 cm (1 in)

This mid-20th-century Japanese pill box dates to 1950 and belongs to the pill boxes category, styled in the Japanese tradition. It is made from silver-plated metal, enamel, and metal, coloured in silver and multi-colour. The exterior features chased foliate engraving, a hand-painted figure, a beaded rim, and an enamel inset lid depicting a figure in green traditional dress. The perimeter and deep sides display dense, hand-chased floral scrollwork and repeating geometric borders over a copper or brass alloy base metal with silver plating. The flat underside shows a warm copper patina from wear. The detachable lift-off lid includes a hand-painted miniature scene and an integrated inset glass mirror, fitting snugly onto the base rim with the miniature remaining crisp and brightly coloured. Measuring 2.4 cm high, 3.8 cm wide, and 5 cm deep, this compact piece serves well on a bedside table as a decorative dressing table accessory, a pocket pill box, or a container for small rings and keepsakes. The silver plating exhibits age-related patina on the base, while the interior mirror glass remains completely intact with minimal aging. The lift-off lid operates without a hinge, securing directly onto the base rim.

Pill boxes produced in Japan during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries were designed primarily for export to Western markets. They combined traditional Japanese metalworking and decorative motifs with Western vanity and utilitarian items.

These boxes are commonly crafted from base metals such as brass or copper plated in silver, often featuring detailed chased or relief patterns. Lids frequently incorporate inset enamel panels, porcelain inserts, or hand-painted mother-of-pearl.

Authentic pieces feature traditional decorative elements such as figures in traditional dress, floral motifs, or relief scrollwork. Wear pattern showing base metal beneath silver plating and original glass mirrors inside the lid are typical signs of age.

Small pill boxes function well on vanity trays, bedside tables, or stacked atop books on a bookshelf. They serve as functional storage for small jewellery items while adding detailed pattern and texture to a styled surface.

Clean the metal surfaces gently using a soft dry cloth to remove dust without removing intentional oxidisation in the low relief areas. Avoid moisture on the hand-painted enamel or internal mirror to prevent damage to the painted pigments and backing.
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