This square mango wood box bears the sign of Sagittarius. Its base is 10 × 10 cm and it is 6 cm high. In the cream circle at the centre of the dark blue lid is a bow decorated with flowers, with an arrow pointing upwards, all drawn in gold lines. Twelve sections filled with the zodiac constellations surround it, with gold dots beyond. The lid is hinged and a metal clasp holds it at the front. Opened, it stays attached, so there is nothing to put down. Made in India; you receive one box.
Bow and arrow
Old pictures show Sagittarius as a centaur drawing a bow, half man and half horse. On this lid only the bow and arrow remain. The sign runs roughly from 22 November to 21 December.
Sagittarians are thought to love their freedom, to enjoy setting off on journeys and to say exactly what they think.
A fire sign towards the Milky Way
Sagittarius is a fire sign, like Aries and Leo, and astrology links it to Jupiter. The centre of our galaxy lies in the direction of the Sagittarius constellation, which is why, on dark summer nights, the Milky Way looks densest there.
Small things brought home
Foreign coins, a pebble from a mountain top or the ticket from a memorable concert, folded in half, can all go in here. If you are often on the move, your jewellery fits too, and the clasp keeps the lid shut. A dry, soft cloth is all it needs for cleaning.
It makes a late November or December birthday present, kept separate from the Christmas ones. Topaz is the birthstone for November and turquoise for December.