Silver Box - Japan

[GreenhornGirl]

Hi all!  This is my first Antique Question post   This is a silver tone metal box, the bottom says "JAPAN" in extruded lettering.  The inside is a bit crinkly when I touched it, and I pulled back the red fabric interior just a tad where it was already loosened to see what was making the crinkly noise, and underneath the red fabic is some sort of white colored stuff that resembles cotton batting but is soft as animal down or fur, on top of cardstock paper, as like a little layer of cushioning.  I would like to know what metal this was made out of, how old it is, and any other info about it.  I've tried searching all kinds of combinations of keywords but have come up with nothing even similar.  Although now that I've posted the pictures I see my first mistake was looking for a "heart" shaped box when this is not even really an actual heart...so I'm not even sure what to call this shape.  It looks pretty old to me...I see on the top cover a spot that was scratched by someone at some point, probably to see if it was silver plated or what metal it is?  The hinge is VERY very delicate.  I'm also wondering if I should try to polish/restore this piece (of course first I have to find out what kind of metal it is) or leave the age patina as is.  Thanks to all in advance for having a look!!

[mariok54]

Hello and welcome.
You don't give measurements, but take a look at these trinket boxes, are they anything like yours?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Vintage-Silvertpl-Footed-JEWELRY-CASKET-BOXES-Japan-/270413613487

[GreenhornGirl]

Thanks for the welcome!  Hmm...they're similar, but I wouldn't say necessarily the same maker or time frame.  But the measurements are similar, mine is 1.75" tall, 3.25" wide, 2.5" front to back, and the inside 1.2" deep.  I'm not sure what that seller means by "silver wash."  Are they really called casket boxes?

[mariok54]

At that size, and lined as it is, it is probably was intended as a trinket box of some sorts. By silver wash I presume they mean silver plate.

[mart]

Yours is essentially the same as the boxes in Mario`s link !!  These are pretty common and came in many shapes and styles !! I see them regularly at sales !!  Yours is probably before 1950 or so because around  that year the Govt. required that the words "Made in" had to be added to items brought here for sale !! So it would have been marked "Made in Japan" after that !! The ones I see are less than $10.00 !!

[GreenhornGirl]

Thanks so much, all!  Well, I'm starting small