The lid features a peacock embellished in gold-leaf, surrounded by incised foliage designs. An inscription on the lid indicates a dating of 1963. A mixture of clay and lacquer applied in layers strengthens the bamboo core of the box, and a final coat of fine quality lacquer gives the lacquerware its characteristic black colour. The craftsman then engraves the designs freehand, and fills the incisions with the desired colourants, before a coat of glue resin seals them within the engraved lines. Lacquerware included a wide range of utensils including water vessels, cosmetic containers, flower vases, food storage and eating utensils. It also served a variety of important religious functions, from preserving Buddhist manuscripts, to the presentation of food to the monastery.
