Brass Bound Indian Merchants Box - 19th Century shawl 66 dia x 77 cms

66 dia x 77 cms

they have developed a warm golden patina that enhances their character

A closely related example is illustrated in Folk Art & Culture of Gujarat: A Guide to the Collection of the Shreyas Folk Museum of Gujarat by Jyotindra Jain (figure 197)

The back panel conceals a secret compartment to reveal an internal storage space

Brass Bound Indian Merchants Box - 19th Century shawl 66 dia x 77 cmsThese Indian boxes were used in the old days by merchants and traders in the bazaars for storing their cash and ledgers. They were also used by Indian families for the dowry of their daughters, as a trousseau (bridal clothes & jewellery). Locally, these boxes were called peti (casket). The body of the box is constructed from roheda wood which is bound with iron and brass. The brass work is delicately hand beaten, etched, and chased with a