λ AN ENGRAVED IVORY AND BUFFALO HORN-OVERLAID CARVED SANDALWOOD NÉCESSAIRE CASKET
Possibly Vizagapatam, Andhra Pradesh, Eastern India, second half 19th century

Of rectangular shape, resting on four sloping feet carved as ivory lion paws (one broken), the lid gently rounded at the top, the exterior of the sandalwood body clad in rectangular panels of buffalo horn overlaid with a variety of ivory decorative elements including long ivory bands imitating brass containment bands of large trunks, pinned onto the buffalo panels with ivory studs, the bands engraved and filled with black-painted festoons, rosette heads, wine trellis and stylised butterflies; further exterior decoration comprising panels of openwork vegetal sprays; and oval medallions engraved with stylised Hindu deities like Vishnu, Uma, and Sarasvati; the interior divided in two registers, the top tray acting as nécessaire box with a small abacus and several square and rectangular compartments, some lidded and repeating the same engraved decorative motifs of the exterior, the lower secret compartment consisting of three concentric squares of decreasing size, possibly to hide necklaces or jewellery, on the interior of the lid a decorative ivory frame in tune with the overall decorative repertoire, 18cm x 36cm x 25cm.

This item may require Export or CITES licences in order to leave the UK or the European Union. It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that lots have the relevant licences before shipping.