PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Vizagapatam T/Shell and Bone Trinket Box.
Made in Vizagapatam, India in circa 1860-80.
Sandalwood box covered in gloriously patinated blonde shell with faux ivory edging and banding.
Glorious carved fretwork and frieze panels on all sides.
Central Medallion on the lid is hand-painted with lac ink, with floral patterns, etc.
Also has a floral medallion around the keyhole.
Original purple velvet insert on the base.
Condition: Some minor losses to fretwork, banding and shell, as is evident from pics. Lid does not close flush. No key. Some minor repairs. Sits on 4 gold button feet. Some oxidization discoloration around the pins on the lid. Two cracks to the sandalwood (on the interior) but they do not destabilize the piece.
It is still a ‘fabulous’ box of it’s type, despite these issues.
These type of Vizagapatam Boxes are notoriously ‘delicate’ and it is ‘nigh-on’ impossible, to find one in original mint condition, after 170 years of wear and tear.
BEAUTIFUL and HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE BOX!
ANGLO-INDIAN BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins.
The early 19th century horn boxes were made in very robust architectural shapes. They often had stepped or canted lids of radiating reeded segments culminating in turned and fluted finials. They stood on turned feet, which showed up the form to full advantage. By the middle of the century shapes became simpler and smaller, sometimes domed, covered with flat horn veneer. They were decorated with fretted or incised ivory strips affixed with ivory pins.
Link: http://www.hygra.com/anglo.html#2
From the early 18th century Vizagapatam in India was a leading center for wood and ivory work, where craftsmen produced fancy furniture and novelty wares specifically for western consumers.
19C Anglo Indian Vizagapatam T/Shell and Bone Trinket Box.
Provenance: Part of our extensive Anglo-Indian Collection.
Dimensions: 6 inches wide, 3 inches tall and 4.75 inches deep
Condition: Very Good. Some losses and minor repairs, as one would expect due to age and delicate construction. See full listing. The 4 gold button feet are new. No key.
SALE PRICE NOW: $950
