This container is the earliest example of an object made of lacquer and mother-of-pearl in the Museum's collection, and one of the few known examples that can be dated to the 12th century. It was once part of a larger set of matching pieces intended to hold incense or, possibly, cosmetics. Small pieces of mother-of-pearl have been used to create the petals and leaves of the wild chrysanthemums that decorate the surface as well as the delicate pearl borders that outline the box. The peonies on the top are made from slivers of tortoise shell, which were colored with pigment before being inlaid on the surface, a technique that can be traced to the 8th century. The use of twisted wires to define the top and edges of the box can often be seen in Korean and Chinese lacquers dating from the 12th to the 14th century.