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$2,850
An exceptional late 19th-century Indian tinned copper lidded box, entirely handcrafted and richly decorated with intricate hand-tooled geometric and floral ornament. This substantial round vessel belongs to a long South Asian tradition of decorative metal containers made for the domestic storage and presentation of food, spices, betel preparations and other valued contents. Its form is consistent with containers variously described as pandan or betel nut boxes, roti or chapati boxes and covered storage vessels, although without documented provenance its precise original function cannot be stated with certainty. The box has a beautifully proportioned circular body with subtly tapering sides, a broad lower rim and a gently domed fitted lid. The copper surface was traditionally tinned, creating the silvery surface that remains visible throughout the vessel. Generations of handling and oxidation have worn through portions of the tinning, revealing the warm reddish copper beneath and producing the particularly attractive variegated patina seen today. What distinguishes this piece is the extraordinary density of its hand-worked decoration. The lid and body are covered with concentric registers of engraved and punched floral, foliate and geometric motifs, creating an almost textile-like surface. Repeated borders, stylized leaves, rosettes and geometric elements demonstrate the accomplished metalworking traditions of the Indian subcontinent during the 19th century. The lid incorporates a substantial swiveling carrying handle, while the body retains its traditional metal fittings, including the front closure with chain and decorative hardware. These functional elements give the box considerable sculptural character and reinforce its origins as a genuinely utilitarian object rather than a later decorative reproduction. The richly ornamented surface reflects the broader vocabulary of Indian and Indo-Islamic decorative arts, in which everyday objects were frequently transformed through elaborate metalworking into highly decorative household possessions. Traditionally, comparable covered vessels were used in Indian households for a variety of purposes. A pandan was associated with the preparation and storage of ingredients used for paan, while larger covered containers could hold chapati, roti or other foods. For this reason, we prefer to describe the object broadly as an Indian tinned copper covered box or vessel in the pandan tradition, rather than assigning an undocumented specific use. Today, the piece functions beautifully as a decorative object in its own right. It could be displayed on a console, library table or pedestal, incorporated into a collection of Indian or Islamic metalwork, or used as a distinctive covered box for small objects. The surface has not been polished to remove its historic character. Areas of oxidized copper, remaining silver-colored tinning, rubbing, scratches, discoloration and irregularities accumulated over more than a century give the piece considerable depth and authenticity. These variations are particularly attractive across the finely engraved decoration, where the contrast between exposed copper and surviving tinning emphasizes the hand-worked patterns. Dating to the late 19th century, this is a compelling example of traditional South Asian metalwork combining practical construction, sophisticated ornament and a beautifully evolved antique surface. Origin: India
