Small Japanese Edo period ceramic chaire or tea caddy for matcha, 18th to 19th century. Darkly glazed Seto Ware, stoneware with a splash of white. Impressed stamp along the unglazed lower edge. With a wooden box.
Stoneware; height: 3 in x diameter: 2 1/4 in. Box; height: 4 1/4 in x width: 3 3/4 in x depth: 3 3/4 in. No visible cracks, chips, losses, or restorations. Light wear throughout consistent with age and use. Some losses to the painted interior of the lid; some wine-colored stains along the top of the lid, possibly original. Some wear, discoloration, and partial tags affixed to the wooden box. Wear to the ties.