Anglo-Raj Wood and Brass Box with Hand-Painted Scene

Hand-carved Anglo Raj early 20th century carved wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving. Hinged lid shallow relief carving with interior lined with red r...

Indo-Raj large hand-hammered metal vessel, originally used to collect waters of the three sacred rivers, the Ganges and Yamuna Sarasvati, this large vessel is much more than just a p...

Nice and unusual Indian Mughal style large decorative box, filigree and carved horn. Anglo-Indian footed domed box with exceptional engraved details throughout with filigree and carved veneered bone plaques with arabesque carving. Vizagapatam, late 19th century. History of the Anglo-Indian Boxes Beginning in the early part of the 18th century, Indian artisans made what came to be known as Anglo-Indian boxes for the English residents living in India, who eventually brought or sent them back to England. At the beginning of the 19th century, India began exporting these boxes commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the 1850s. People valued them so highly that manufacturers of tins copied the designs on them in the late 19th and early 20th century. Anglo-Indian boxes fall into four groups: Rosewood or ebony boxes inlaid; sandalwood boxes veneered; sandalwood boxes covered with Sadeli mosaic; and carved boxes often combined with Sadeli mosaic/ The first two categories came from Vizagapatam in East India while the last two came from Bombay in West India. English traders discovered the rich woods and intricate workmanship of Indian artisans, so colonial government officials began to recognize the work of the Indian artists and craftsmen as a source for satisfying the need for furniture and boxes, which would both serve to enhance English households in India. This gave rise to the cabinetmaking workshops in Vizagapatam between Calcutta and Madras. Craftsmen made the first boxes to be decorated with Sadeli mosaic of rosewood or ebony, incised to give further definition to the decoration, directly inlaid into the wood. The shape of the early boxes was either sloping at the front with a flatter section at the back, reminiscent of English writing slopes, or rectangular. Artisans inlaid the borders with stylized floral scrolls and the centers with a single floral motif following a circular or oval symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern. The edging was ornamental and protective, both helped protect the end grain against the weather. Made in Vizagapatam, situated on the south east coast of India, near Madras These exotic boxes...

Hand-carved large wooden Anglo-Raj jewelry box. Early 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving. Hinged lid shallow relief carving with interi...

Hand carved large wooden Anglo-Raj jewelry box. Early 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving. Hinged lid shallow relief carving with inte...

Antique Anglo-Indian quill box handcrafted and decorated with porcupine quills and bone dots. Made in Ceylon which was the colonial name for Sri Lanka.

A Chinese vintage black lacquer lidded box from the mid 20th century, with hand-painted Chinoiserie décor. Created in China during the midcentury period, this black lacquer box showcases an oval lid adorned with a delicate Chinoiserie décor. Topped with a large handle, this black lacquer Chinoiserie box...

An antique Indian handmade jewelry box from the 19th century with brass hardware, bracket feet and partitioned interior. Created in India during t...

A small Indian antique box from the 19th century, with brass details and compartmented interior. Created in India during the 19th century, this small wooden box...

An antique Chinese Late Qing Dynasty period wooden document box from the early 20th century with reddish brown lacquer, brass hardware and carrying handles. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty period in the early years of the 20th century, this wooden document box features a domed lid opening thanks to a traditional brass lock...

An antique Indian wooden box from the 19th century, with brass details and weathered appearance. Topped with a rectangular lid fitted with a c-scroll handle and half opening to revea...

A Japanese Taisho period Hokai box from the early 20th century, with red lacquer, ornate brass accents and original rope. This vibrant Japanese Taisho period...