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Box

ca. 1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This box was made at Vizagapatam, a port on the east coast of India where from the early 18th century craftsmen produced furniture and fancy wares for western consumers. The sunburst on the lid and the fluted sides on this box are typical of Vizagapatam production of the early to mid 19th century.

Early Vizagatapam objects were usually of wood inlaid with ivory. From the mid 18th century onwards artisans began to veneer objects with ivory, on which they would incise designs that were highighted with lac.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Tray Insert
  • Writing Box
  • Key
  • Cover
Materials and techniques
Sandalwood, veneered with ivory, engraved and highlighted with lac
Brief description
for writing box; Writing, sandalwood ivory, Vishakhapatnam, C19

Writing, sandalwood ivory, Vishakhapatnam, C19

for writing box; Tools, Vishakhapatnam, C19

for writing box; Writing, sandalwood ivory, Vishakhapatnam, C19
Physical description
Box of sandalwood, veneered with ivory, engraved and highlighted with lac.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13cm
  • Width: 29.5cm
  • Depth: 24.5cm
Object history
Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Wall Case 30.] '01,163. WRITING CASE. Sandalwood, covered with ivory, and engraved ivory border; Vizagapatam. 4,315'
Summary
This box was made at Vizagapatam, a port on the east coast of India where from the early 18th century craftsmen produced furniture and fancy wares for western consumers. The sunburst on the lid and the fluted sides on this box are typical of Vizagapatam production of the early to mid 19th century.

Early Vizagatapam objects were usually of wood inlaid with ivory. From the mid 18th century onwards artisans began to veneer objects with ivory, on which they would incise designs that were highighted with lac.
Other number
4315 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
Accession number
01163B/(IS)

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Record createdJanuary 9, 2006
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