This is a four-tiered, lidded, maki-e confectionary cabinet. The cabinet is housed in an outer box with a string. Inside, there is a drawer at the top, and below it, the four-tiered, lidded maki-e confectionary cabinet. Made of natural wood with (colored) lacquer, the top lid and the four-tiered bodies (containers) are decorated with magnificent maki-e in gold and other colors. The top lid features elegant dragonflies and butterflies, while the flowers depicted on the bodies appear to be peonies and chrysanthemums. Confectionary cabinets were used for guests at tea ceremonies to enjoy dry sweets (higashi) by passing them around, or for enjoying dry sweets in the cabinet during the Doll Festival. They came in drawer-type or tiered box-type designs. Until around the Meiji era, many sophisticated maki-e confectionary cabinets were produced, with decorations such as maki-e and lacquer paintings applied to the lacquerware. These maki-e confectionary cabinets from that time are now highly regarded as works of art in lacquerware. Confectionary cabinets still seem to be used today, following the proper etiquette in tea ceremonies. The confectionary cabinet for sale is a tiered box-type (with an outer box) decorated with maki-e. It has been stored at home, and there is no box to store the entire set. The manufacturing period, purpose, and usage are unknown. Although not very noticeable, there are some chips (photo 14), fine scratches, clouding and peeling of the lacquer (photo 16), and kinks and deterioration in the string. Although the specific manufacturing period is unknown, the appearance strongly suggests that it is an antique. The space between the outer box and the four-tiered cabinet is narrow to prevent the four-tiered cabinet from coming out. When removing it from the outer box, align the four tiers, push from the back, and pull out from the front. If it gets stuck, first remove the top lid, then remove the tiers one by one from the top, lifting them slightly. The approximate size (cm) and weight (g) are as follows. The figures below are the outer dimensions (length x width x height) / weight, and the inner dimensions (length x width x depth). [Drawer] 13.3 x 15.4 x 3.1 / 92 12.4 x 14.6 x 2.5 [Top Lid] 13.3 x 15.3 x 0.7 / 88 [Top Tier] 13.3 x 15.3 x 3.7 / 105 12.6 x 14.7 x 3.1 [Middle Top] 13.3 x 15.3 x 4.1 / 115 12.6 x 14.7 x 3.5 [Middle Bottom] 13.3 x 15.3 x 4.1 / 118 12.6 x 14.7 x 3.5 [Bottom Tier] 13.3 x 15.3 x 5.3 / 132 12.6 x 14.7 x 4.7 [Outer Box] 13.3 x 16.5 x 24.3 / Weight 332 (Total 982) This is an antique four-tiered, lidded maki-e confectionary cabinet. Although there are some age-related damages that are not very noticeable, the maki-e of dragonflies, butterflies, peonies, and chrysanthemums are beautifully preserved. Please take care of the lacquerware and enjoy the maki-e.