Wonderful Old Carved Man in Brown, with Hat man with goatee I assume this lacquered papier

I assume this lacquered papier mache box is early 20th century Japanese

There are a few irregularities to the glazing

which features a buffalo emerging from the side of the round shield in a manner so similar to this that I wonder if this plate was directly inspired by it

Box measure about 3 7/8" tall and between 3 1/2" to 3 7/8" long

and eyes remaining

Wonderful Old Carved Man in Brown, with Hat man with goatee I assume this lacquered papierI found this one in Massachusetts but I am not sure his history; to me, he looks like an expeditioner of some sort, perhaps heading out into the wild on safari. With pronounced carved ears sticking out on either side of his head, one has the sense that he is quite alert and attuned to his surroundings, though I read a bit of trepidation in his face and posture, especially those raised eyebrows! Anyway, pretty wonderful I think, with pinned arms that