Antique 19th Century Indian Bidriware Pandan Silver & Brass Casket Jewelry Box

A fine and important late 15th century Mamluk period inlaid penbox (Qalamdan), possibly Syria or Mosul, late 1400's. The slightly domed penbox is lavishly inlaid with gold and silver...

A large antique early 19th century Indian brass votive oil lamp modeled as the Hindu deity, Lord Ganesha, circa 1800. A finely cast brass figure of Lord ...

An antique Indian Hindu copper Nandi (bull) lidded and handled water vessel, circa 1800. In the Hindu faith & culture of India the bull is a sacred animal, the term Nandi means "giving joy" or "delight", the Nandi is the scared bull of one of the most important gods, Shiva, the bull is also Shiva's animal form and also his transport. This vessel is finely crafted from copper and has a circular lid and hinged handle, the vessel is modeled as a bull by hand hammering using...

A fine & rare antique 19th Century Ottoman Tombak (Gilt Copper) Nargile or Hookah pipe, Turkey, circa 1850. A nagile or hookah pipe's history dates back...

Asian antique Beaten Brass Betel Nut Pandan Box, Northern India. Beautiful antique hand hammered Asian round brass betel with a lid and delicate engravings with floral design handle hand crafted by skilled artisans from Northern India. Indian Beaten Copper Betel Nut Pandan Box with hand hammered beaten floral and incised decoration used to store betel leaf, lime, tobacco and the nut from the areca palm. This mixture of ingredients when prepared and placed in the mouth for long periods gives the user a mild aphrodisiac effect. The preparation of the betel nut with lime stored in ornate boxes with several smaller internal containers was popular all over Asia and is still a common practice in Myanmar and India and among the hill tribes of many S. E. Asian countries. Engraved with intricate designs on the lid which has a carved floral design handle and a latch in front for opening or closing the box and for safekeeping. Nicely hand-hammered with intricate details. Please check photo #5, there is about 1 inch damage area on the side of the box. Museum quality Asian Hand-hammered decorative Islamic brass folk art metalwork collector treasure box. Measures: Diameter 7 in. x Height 4 in. The box has a rich, deep brown patina. Quality of Mughal style. A pandan was used to store the pan, or betel quid after it had been stuffed and rolled ready to eat, rather than for the individual ingredients. The chewing of betel is an ancient Asian tradition comparable to tobacco in the western world. Betel consists of three main ingredients: the areca nut, betel leaf and lime paste. Betel was, and still is enormously popular throughout Asia and plays a major role in the entertaining of guests, in courtship and marriage, and in the traditional etiquette of the royal courts, where it often forms part of the state regalia.[1] Research on several pandan boxes has been published by Zebrowski.[2] Brownrigg, H. Betel Cutters...

Indian Bidri Hookah Base, decorated with floral patterns and folliage. India, Bidri ware, 19th century. In fairly good condition, worn due to age (see images). Dimensions: 16 cm. ...

Antique handcrafted unique silver collectible box North India. Antique Raj Mughal silver box with hand chased and repousse fine decoration. The top of the box is very intricately finely chased panels with a combination of with foliage and flowers repousse decoration and toped with a peacock bird final. The deep gadroons around the body give this pandan box...

A fine antique Indian Bidriware twin handled tray inlaid with silver leaf designs and dating from the latter 19th century. The tray stands raised on rectangular shaped foot and is of...