Featured Japanese MOP on Lacquer Box; is This Post-War?

Black lacquer on wood, ~13" x ~9 1/2" x ~2 3/4", ~34 ounces. The carp is made from 13 individual pieces, not counting his whiskers.

There are numerous small injuries from indifferent handling, which I haven't pictured. The interior an' bottom are the same glossy black, without adornment. Please note the brown lacquer accenting the rim around the cover.

I cannot say with any certainty that this is from uncle's estate, 'tho I have serious doubts; he was far too careful to have damaged it in so many places. Mostly I'd like to know whether it was made before or after WWII. There's no signature that I can find. Thanks for lookin'!

 

Looks VERY NICELY done! So, it's lived a little!! Still beautiful!! But I can't speak to the age.....AND on taking a THIRD LOOK, I would ask you to take a look with a Loupe or Magnifier inside of where I've circled in RED....TWO AREAS...the upper one is very tiny that "looks" like it could be a signature...and the lower one...slightly larger that also "might" be a signature, to ME, but of course, I could be wrong too....in both cases.....BUT the smaller upper one looks like it starts with an "N" and ends in an "i"....

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It is lovely. Id buy it !

 

Thank you, Aquitaine...I'll re-examine those spots...an' report my findings here tomorrow!

 

Gorgeous box, and I'd guess post-war. Could we see the inside?

I would be very surprised if it were signed, especially in the abalone/MOP bits, but no harm in checking. I think the circled areas are just natural patterns.

 

Ditto on beautiful.

 

Exactly so, AJ. The larger oval does contain a bunch of scratches, as it is very slightly proud and so catches more wear. The small one is just a weird black speck...no info there, either.
As far as a look inside...it's black, highly glossy, and my old camera demands something to find its focus. I'll try, but can't promise acceptable results.

 

Maybe put a pen inside?

 

Would never have occurred to me! Funny how blind we can be in spite of a long life. I'll get you pics, for sure.

 

The first pic is the interior of the box; the second is the cover interior.
Some of these lacquer boxes have a 3rd part: a simple, flat panel sized to fit easily inside; Lacquered on all surfaces to match the interior, an' completely without adornment. I have a much smaller example of such, an' will post pics of it in Art soon...you'll like it, I promise!
The artifact I used for focusing the camera will be shown in better detail, an' explained, in Metalware pdq.

 

is that a jean shirt you're wearing ........?

 

Fine if NOT siggys, I just feel anything that 'might' be a signature is at least worth checking on!!!

 

Naw...LL Bean Chamois, in blue.

 

Definitely post-war. Possibly 1980s, thereabouts.