A fine and rare silver Shibayama matchstick or small cigarette case. Silver hallmarks for Birmingham 1925, and makers mark for Henry Williamson Ltd. The case has 9 insects handcarved in semi precious stones by the artisan. The Shibayama technique was named after Shibayama Dosho, who introduced it in Japan in the 18th century. It was used exclusively on items for import to the West. Shibayama is the art of semiprecious stones, shell, turtleshell etc inlayed on lacquer and ivory pieces. The items decorated in the Shibayama style range from vases, boxes and table-screens to swords and entire ivory tusks. However he cannot be said to have invented it, but, as has been observed of many other Japanese applied arts, the perfecting of the method was mistaken for its origin. Signed in the silver by the Japanese Artisan.5.7cm Wide by 4.2cm Long and 1cm high