Vintage mid century traditional Japanese Sone Ware Laquer Orgel Music Box with a lovely lacquered floral design. In very good pre-owned condition for age. Size is approximately 19.5 x 12.5 x 5.5 cms. The box is made of wood with high gloss black lacquered sides and base with a decorative hand applied gold leaf lacquered lid. It has a red velvet interior, a lid mirror, and a Sankyo mechanical wind-up movement that plays Music Box Dancer when opened, as seen in the video. Please note there are some black spots in the lacquer work in the top left hand corner, as seen in the photos. This seems to be under the top gloss layer so would have most likely occurred during the application process.

The Orgel comes in its original box which has some colour fade where it has been exposed to light. The accompanying paper work is "About Gold Leaf Lacquerware" (金箔漆器について). Another paper note showcases a traditional poem linked to Kaga Yuzen (加賀友禅) silk-dyeing aesthetics and is included for interest.

Please see all photos as these form part of the description.

Background:
Sone Kogei is a recognized Japanese lacquerware brand known for manufacturing smooth, high-luster, and vibrantly decorated objects. Known for chinoiserie motifs, applied gold accents, and iconic designs.

Vintage Sone Kogei (often labeled as Sone Ware Orgel or Sone Tokyo) music boxes are highly collectible. They typically date from the 1950s to the 1970s Showa period, often featuring traditional Japanese artistry.