Hand-painted Gold on Black Japanese Lacquer Box with Figure, Signed huge stoneware bowl with a bit of wear

with a bit of wear to the leather of the upwardly pointing toe

and in great condition

whether the various pieces were originally made by different manufacturers to be assembled following export to the U

I'm guessing it once held a barrel

cream newsprint-like pages and handwritten text

Hand-painted Gold on Black Japanese Lacquer Box with Figure, Signed huge stoneware bowl with a bit of wearI love a good lacquer box, and really love the imagery on this one, with this serene looking cross legged figure, a monk I assume, holding up a brush in one hand and flag like page in the other, painted with what I'd assume is the kanji or signature of its maker. And then those great trees and islands in the background, with abstracted bird flying overhead. I assume this lacquered papier mache box is early 20th century Japanese. The interior is a deep