Please complete the form to email this item.

Work box

Work box

  • Place of origin:

    Mumbai, India (made)

  • Date:

    mid 19th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Wood with ivory inlay and brass mounts

  • Museum number:

    01153:1/(IS)

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

  • Download image

The exterior of this workbox is decorated with a sunburst with alternating rays of wood and ivory, inlaid with sadeli, a geometric micro-mosaic composed of various woods, metals and ivory. Decorative boxes of this type were widely made in western India, especially in and around Bombay, for which reason such objects were described under the blanket heading 'Bombay boxes'. This workbox was intended to be used for needlework, and is designed to accommodate all of the accessories associated with this pastime.

Physical description

Workbox of wood, the exterior with parquetry of wood, ivory, and sadeli and ivory, the interior lined with sandalwood, with silvered brass lock and hinges.

Place of Origin

Mumbai, India (made)

Date

mid 19th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Wood with ivory inlay and brass mounts

Marks and inscriptions

'Bombay Local No. 21/Name. Work box - Inlaid - small/Place of Production { Presidency of Bombay./Collectorate./City of/Bombay/Price Rs. 25/'

Dimensions

Height: 8 cm, Width: 25.5 cm, Depth: 18 cm

Object history note

The Workbox was exhibited at the Universal Exhibition, Paris in 1867 and acquired by the India Museum for Rs. 25.

Descriptive line

Wooden work box, made in Bombay, mid-19th century.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Jaffer, Amin Furniture from British India and Ceylon: A Catalogue of the Collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum. London : V&A Publications, 2001. 416 p., ill. ISBN 1851773185, p.321, pl.136.

Categories

Containers

Collection code

SSEA

Download image
Qr_O114445
Ajax-loader