Lot 237: A SOUTH INDIAN SILVER-OVERLAID WOOD BOX, TRAVANCORE, LATE 19TH CENTURY

A rectangular storage box constructed from a dark dense wood, likely rosewood or ebony, featuring engraved silver-overlaid panels to the exterior and interior. The decoration is characteristic of the Travancore region of Kerala. The exterior lid panel depicts an architectural complex within a dense foliate scroll border. The interior of the lid is set with a similar panel featuring an oval central vignette of a multi-storey building surrounded by scrolling vines. The front exterior panel features a central keyhole within a circular foliate wreath, flanked by two caparisoned elephants (nettipattam) with raised trunks among flowing vegetal scrolls. Opening the lid reveals an additional silver panel on the interior front depicting a traditional Keralan houseboat (kettuvallam) on a waterway, flanked by palm trees. One side panel shows a figure with a horse-drawn carriage amidst palm trees. The box stands on four turned wooden bun feet.

27 by 14 by 9.5 cm