Metal and shakudo Kodansu cabinet on a dragon carved hardwood base

Japanese, Meiji period

in the form of a Buddhistic Shrine, of rounded oval form, decorated in Iro-e-zogan covering various metal styles including shibuichi and shakudo, the domed copper top shows an ornamental handle formed as two facing dragon heads set upon an ornamental collar encircled by another dragon with gilt flames around it's trailing body on a copper tinted ground, the oval two door body with a floral cluster for open and closing, the interior is finely decorated with trees, plants and flowers associated with Japan, the reverse showing a river scene with sail boats against a mountainous background over which hangs a flowering tree, the interior with eight asymetrical drawers, each decorated along the doors with further examples of Japanese flowers and trees all over a gilt ground, the base with a rounded border carved with waves supported by four feet decorated with breaking wave patterns and signed Dai Nihon To with artists signature in a mixed standard script and Sosho, on separate fine ebony wood base, finely carved in high relief around the sides with two facing dragons encircling the four legs of the stand, the cabinet measures 23cm x 12cm from the dome top to the base, the ebony stand measures 7cm x 18cm