Writing Desk
ca. 1867 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 19th century western India became the centre of production for a vast range of decorative boxes and portable furniture, of which this desk is an example. It is made entirely of sandalwood, and is richly carved, probably replicating to some extent the effect of carved sandalwood boxes made at Mysore and Canara.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 10 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Sandalwood, carved; silvered brass mounts |
| Brief description | Portable Writing desk, sandalwood carved with silvered lock and hinges, Surat, c.1867. |
| Physical description | Portable writing desk of sandalwood, profusely carved, with silvered brass lock and hinges. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Local No. / Name. Writing Desk / Sandalwood / carved / Place of Production / Presidency of Bombay. / Collectorate. Surat / Town of Surat / Price. Rs. 68 - 4 / 'INDU PRAKASH' PRESS'' |
| Object history | Exhibited at the Universal Exhibition, Paris, in 1867 and acquired by the India Museum for Rs. 68 - 4. Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Wall Case 30.] '01,122. WRITING DESK. Sandalwood, carved in relief; Surat. 7,096' |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | In the 19th century western India became the centre of production for a vast range of decorative boxes and portable furniture, of which this desk is an example. It is made entirely of sandalwood, and is richly carved, probably replicating to some extent the effect of carved sandalwood boxes made at Mysore and Canara. |
| Bibliographic reference | 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.324, pl.141. |
| Other number | 7096 - India Museum Slip Book |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 01122:1 to 10/(IS) |
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| Record created | March 10, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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