Lovely and Unusual Late 19th C. Chestnuts Still Life Japanese watercolor sticks The slide top on the

The slide top on the box slides open smoothly and stays firmly closed

They were long ago folded in just the right way so lie completely flat

The combination of them

a town in the Mexican state of Michoacán

Lovely and Unusual Late 19th C. Chestnuts Still Life Japanese watercolor sticks The slide top on theI'm really smitten with this little painting, unusual for its solid black ground, which to my eye makes these chestnuts, plus two almonds and a walnut, feels quite jewel like. Curious and special feeling, and with these wonderfully wispy white tufts at the ends indicating they've been freshly shucked. A perfect winter still life I'd say. 8 1 4" x 6" and in good antique condition. Signed A. C. Johnson, January 1898. With a clear coat over the painting