Showa Era Powder Case with Music Box — Floral Metalwork (Plays “Für Elise”)

This powder case with built-in music box, playing Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” is more than a cosmetic accessory—it is a testament to mid-Shōwa Japan’s skill in floral metalworking. The surface is embossed with floral motifs and subtly gilded, each detail revealing the hand of a craftsman who treated metal as canvas. The crystal-like knob brings a final flourish, a small ornament inviting touch and sound—reminding us that beauty was once woven into everyday ritual.

Details

• Era: Showa era, circa 1960s–1970s
• Technique / Materials: Embossed metal body with floral motifs, gilded accents, decorative knob; built-in music box mechanism
• Design Highlight: Floral metalwork throughout lid & body; sound activated when opened

Curated by Kayo Setsuda

Je et Nous Annex — Nara, Japan.

A cultural archive of Showa-era Japanese crafts and beauty.