A KASHMIRI POLYCHROME-PAINTED LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE WITH HINDU DEITIES
Kashmir, Northern India, 20th century

With rounded ends and sliding tray, painted in polychromes, gilt and lacquered, the top depicting in horizontal format Shaiva Hindu deities, more specifically Shiva facing Ganesha on lotus thrones, both flanked by Parvati / Devi on tigers' backs, all against a dense scrollwork of flowers, budding lotuses, and vegetal sprays, the sides with dragon slaying scenes surrounded by wild animals, the exterior base, interior and outer sides of the sliding tray all decorated with gilt scrolling foliage and rosette trellis against green and dark blue ground, 29.7cm x 5cm x 5cm.