Box in book form

Case carved of solid mahogany, with two cross bars made separately and mounted in cut recesses using wooden pins. The center lap joint was pinned as well. Four thin sliding lids give access to a single compartment, and were cut separately, each receiving a central square inlay of ebony or ebonized wood and a carved finger hold along their outer edge. The back cover was divided and decorated in identical but blind fashion, only suggesting four additional sliding lids. Mother of pearl inlay decorates the spine, with a diamond in the center. Flanked by smaller star shapes. Only the latter two are secured using brass pins. all decorative motifs are surrounded by blind carved borders. The book's edges are rough and may have originally been covered with veneer or mother of pearl. All outer edges of the covers and spine are executed with chip-carved triangular patterns, while bands of raised squares frame all inlay as well as the finger holds.. -- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Lynn Heckman.