Rare Sri Lankan Horn & Silver Box

This elegant and good-sized box has been made from flattened horn (probably buffalo horn) that has then been pressed into its current shape and mounted with beautifully chased, pierced and engraved high-grade silver.

The box is in two hinged hemispherical halves. The top cover is decorated with a central silver solar plaque with a face. The hinge and latch are beautifully worked and pierced with typical vegetal scrollwork.

The box is in the form of a traditional box (chunam) for powdered lime used as part of the betel quid, but it is unlikely that the box was intended for this purpose: it is too delicate. Usually, horn boxes were used to hold medicines or cosmetic (in which case the box would be termed a behet-karakaya), although this box seems too large for these purposes.

The box is in a fine stable condition. The horn has some old cracking and chipping as might be expected given the material and its age.