Nettur Petti jewellery box, Dowry box, India, 19th century

A rare wooden casket with polychrome and gilded pastiglia relief, Italy, 15th century. The box is adorned with four finely executed scenes from the life of an unknown martyr — beautifully preserved and remarkably vivid after centuries. Dimensions: 15.5 × 10.4 × 9 cm Provenance: Dutch private collection In overall good condition for its age, with minor losses to the surface and possible retouching to the polychromy. The ball feet are likely later additions. Pastiglia [paˈstiʎʎa], an Italian term meaning "pastework", is low relief decoration, normally modelled in gesso or white lead, applied to build up a surface that may then be gilded or painted, or left plain. The technique was used in a variety of ways in Italy during the Renaissance. White lead pastiglia was a north Italian speciality, produced between about 1450 and 1550. Six workshops were identified by Patrick M. De Winter, although their location remains uncertain; the Workshop of the Love and Moral Themes, whose products seem the most numerous, was possibly at Ferrara, where the painter Cosimo Tura began his career gilding caskets. Venice is also thought to have produced them. Other workshops identified by De Winter include the "Workshop of the main Berlin casket" and "Workshop of the Cleveland Casket". The subjects were typically classical, drawn from both mythology and Ancient Roman history (especially the early period covered by Livy), but biblical ones are also found. Compositions can often be shown to be borrowed from another medium, such as prints or bronze plaquettes...

Large decorative Indian Hindu woodcarving depicting a horse with an attendant (possibly shiva), used for processions. Indian Temple Horse. Polychrome woodcarving. In fair condition,...

Rare elaborately decorated Jogja tea service with unusual decoration of boddhisatva, taotie masks, birds and pagoda-shaped lids. The tea service contains a teapot, coffeepot, sugarbo...

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. ...

Large Teak Jewelry Dowry Box with Brass, Late 19th Century, India. This Teak Indian Dowry Box is adorned with Decorative Brass, showcasing exquisite c...

This South Indian jewelry box, known as a Malabar box, hailing from Kerala, is a magnificent piece of cultural artistry and historical significance....

A 19th century Mughal dowry chest with carved patterns from India. This chest wooden chest with a slanted top strengthened by metal hardware reinforcements. The front displays lightly carved geometrical friezes. A large carved geometrical medallion adorns the triangular lid. The chest rests on four conical legs. This chest opens thanks to an door on the centre of its top. This unusual item was used as a dowry chest in India. This 19th century, Indian Mughal wood dowry chest...

An Indian antique box from the 19th century with metal sheathing and bracketed base. Created in India during the 19th century, this antique box features a linear silhouette made of m...