Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334 Wahgooshdidit I'm looking for the correct word, or an appropriate word or words, to describe those little decorative boxes, often handpainted, or made of exotic wood, jade or tortoiseshell, sometimes inlaid with other materials. They were most frequently found on a vanity table, but often found on a desk or other piece of furniture. Nowadays we keep earrings, keys and other easy-to-lose small items in them. I am reluctant to just call it a box, without spending half a paragraph explaining what distinguishes it from an ordinary box. A one sentence or half a sentence should be sufficient, if I know what to call it. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:34:50 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_941522 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_941522 disconova Sounds like you're describing a Lady's Work box, originally for storing sewing supplies, ribbon, needles, thread , and other easy-to-lose small items. If you do a Google image search for "ladies work box" or "lady's work box" you can find several examples to make sure that is what you are thinking of. Both my mother and grandmother had small, six sided, decorative boxes they kept sewing supplies in. They just called them "sewing boxes". Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:05:08 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_942497 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_942497 Grand Poobah Another term, specifically applied to the lacquered boxes, usually black, is a Japan box. That's where they originated, along with a lot of other lacquer work. They often included ornamental painting, but seldom had inlays. Later versions included inlaid work, but usually only on the top. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:23:51 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_942570 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_942570 Wahgooshdidit No, no, smaller than a work box. I have one with cloissone and one in rosewood - bout are round and about 2-1/2 inches in diameter and a 1/2 to 3/4 inch tall, with unattached lids that simply rest on top. Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:21:19 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_946949 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_946949 Rosina Rowantree I don't know if there is a general name - I can only find names that relate either to their purpose - snuff boxes, comfit boxes, even patch boxes are all about the size I think you mean - or their appearance - lacquer boxes, inlaid boxes, Sevres porcelain boxes. I suppose they might have said 'casket', but that has picked up another meaning, which makes googling for little caskets rather depressing. Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:40:57 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_947269 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_947269 Lady_Indis_Dress How about trinket box? Japanned was a term that was used sometimes. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:35:37 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_952218 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_952218 disconova Hmm. Pill box perhaps? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1900s-ANTIQUE-CHINESE-CLOISONNE-ENAMEL-PILL-BOX-/150715666558?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item23175a907e Other examples http://www.ebay.com/sch/Pill-Boxes-/14082/i.html (Disclaimer, yo! Links intended for the sole purpose of providing examples of the type and in no way as an advertisement for, or endorsement of the sale or purchase of these items through the above auction service or any other online services. Any resemblance of these boxes to any boxes appearing in your Historical Fiction Nano, finished or unfinished, is likely coincidental as I am far from an expert on small decorative boxes and am really just guessing at this point.) Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:26:35 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_952466 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_952466 iwillfinishmynovel what about a lacquered box? a collectible, often brought back from the Orient as a souvenir for a loved one; usually painted black (black lacquer) w/ scenes of country life or daily life painted on the box; inlaid with mother of pearl Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:16:04 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1087746 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1087746 Nike Lennard If you mean somethink like that: http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Tabakdose.jpg&filetimestamp=20090408090032 in German it would called a "Tabakdose" or "Schnupftabakdose". Maybe it could be translated with snuffbox. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:33:44 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1123967 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1123967 dancer_kirsten On the Antiques Roadshow they usually call them snuff boxes. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/550707/snuffbox Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:14:42 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1188725 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/historical-fiction/threads/47334?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1188725