Vizagapatan Ivory & Tortoiseshell Box

Ivory & Tortoiseshell Jewellery Box & Cover

Vizagapatam, India

late 19th century

length: 20.5 cm; width: 16.5 cm; height: 10.5 cm

The box, of rectangular form, stands on four bone claw feet. The exterior is overlaid on all sides and on top with openwork ivory, set with ivory plaques etched with floral and foliage designs and scrolling etched ivory borders, all secured to the tortoiseshell with silver pins. A fitted interior tray with six compartments is variously covered with fitted ivory lids with finely etched floral and foliage designs coloured red, orange and green.

The inside of the lid is fitted with a mirror. The interior of the box is lined with sandalwood, and the lower interior with the original blue velvet as is the underside of the box. The original finely-cast key is present and the original lock still works.

This box is in very good condition; there are no losses to the ivory fretwork.

Inventory no.: 225

SOLD