GUC! Vintage AMITA Japanese Pill Box

GUC! This Vintage AMITA round box is etched with orchids and tall grass. Has a knob enclosure that must be pressed in order to open/close. There are clear signs of wear. Minor scratches, etc. Please note that the lamp lighting may distort the actual item. Back is etched with AMITA JAPAN. There’s a marking of the number 47 on the inside. History of Damascene Jewelry Originating in Syria and exported to Spain during the Moorish conquest in the early 700s AD, damascene is an artform that has literally been around for centuries. It was first started in Damascus, hence the name. Damascene jewelry is often handcrafted and depicts scenes with doves, flowers, and geometric shapes. The labor-intensive technique is a surface decoration of engraving and metal plating. The jewelry is often made of steel or other base metal in which precious metals (usually 18 and24 k gold) are placed in groves on a small surface, the hammered in place. The black background is created by the oxidation of a very hot solution used to darken the background, creating magical scenes and stories. Please note, I have not had the materials tested.