Anglo-Indian Decorative Objects

Mughal style pietra dura marble box - hand made - featuring an over-all floral and vine design with lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl and black onyx inlay - signed on the base and the li...

A beautiful, rustic antique Indian merchant's cash box hand crafted out of teak and accented with brass corner brackets, handle and medallions. The key turns and the lid slides open ...

Beautiful white marble jewelry box with floral inlay, made with different semi preciouses stones such as Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Carnelian. It was made in India in the 1960's.

PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1860-80. Box made of sandalwood with highly carved teak wood reliefs and panels on all sides. Edged with bone and ebony veneers and glorious sadeli mosaic, made from tiny pieces of faux ivory, pewter, green semi-precious stone. The box is in a sarcophagus form with domed lid. The original brass carry handles are on the sides. The interior is in great condition and consists of a removeable mirror under the lid portion, with the original red velvet lining behind it. The base is removeable and contains a number of lidded compartments. 6 of the interior lids on the base, are each inlaid with sadeli mosaic banding. The rest are also carved and chased. The interior is fully complete with 7 lidded faux ivory/bone, thread canisters with sadeli domes and the original bone thimble. The box sits on 4 brass ball or bun feet with the original velvet lining on the base. Some minor repairs and losses, but this box is fully complete. This is ‘rare’ as many of these boxes have not survived in such condition! Included in the sale are 2 photos that were in the box (under the base tray). Interestingly, one of them is a view of downtown Nassau, New Providence (Bermuda) from the early 20C and stamped on the rear. What a ‘journey’ this piece has made! Made in India … travelled to Bermuda, probably via Britain … back to Ireland (where we bought it) …. then to Texas! These boxes were made by superb Indian craftsmen, specifically for sale to the ruling British elite. These types of boxes, carved padouk and sandalwood, (whilst beautiful and superbly crafted) were of a lesser quality, than the more profusely and intricately mosaic inlay, tortoiseshell and ivory boxes, made for the British ‘Upper Classes’ in the areas of Bombay and Vizagapatam. These type of boxes were much more affordable back in 1880 (and indeed today) and would probably have been bought by mid-level diplomats, civil servants or visitors. Sewing boxes (in general), were in EVERY Victorian home in Britain in the 19th Century and like other boxes etc were ‘status symbols’ of your place in society! The more ornate the box, the more ‘Upper Class’ you were! Of it’s type, this one, is one of the very higher quality one’s, than the norm! SADELI MOSAIC: “Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials. Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra color. The mosaic pieces in a combination of patterns, often separated by ivory, ebony, horn or silver stringing were used to veneer sandalwood boxes. In the early boxes, which date from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, there are large panels of mosaic covering tops and sides of boxes. It took incredible skill to cover such large areas without any shakes or wavering of the pattern. The corners and joins on these boxes are impeccably matched. The makers (reputed to be Persian) of Sadeli mosaic made in the first two decades of the 19th century displayed a total understanding of the qualities of the different materials they used. They combined substances, which can expand and contract according to atmospheric conditions with others, which are hard and unyielding. The result was a sharp definition of the lines and patterns, which made up the whole design. On the early boxes the designs look deceptively simple. The fact is, they emerged from a culture, which had mastered geometry and understood how to generate a pattern from a set number of points. The patterns are so harmoniously combined that their incredible complexity is not immediately apparent. The earliest Sadeli boxes...

VERY DECORATIVE VIZAGAPATAM BOX Vizagapatam, India, 19th Century. Rustic workmanship will only add to the decorative appeal of this Anglo-Indian footed domed casket in ebonized woo...

Inlaid table cabinet with six compartments and two handles. This is a beautifully decorated crafted box reflecting the craftsmanship and cultural influences of Goa during the colonia...

Antique hand hammered silvered metal engraved beaker beautifully hand chiseled and decorated with geometrical and botanical patterns motifs. One of a kind old Islamic Mughal style lassi drinking metal cup from India beautifully hand etched by artisan. Superb craftsmanship highly decorative beaker, so called lassi cup. This gobelet is hand-engraved in the intricate Mughal style with floral designs and wears a timeworn patina. Mughal Moorish Persian style drinking cup hand crafted, engraved by hand, all by traditional ways and methods used in India. Heavy, sturdy, stunning and unique made of thick, partially silvered metal, all hand tooled, chased and hammered these cups today make wonderful vases or beakers to store paint brushes or pens or use as a small vase on a nightstand or small Moroccan side table...

Mounted with Silver From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Solid Coromandel Anglo Indian and Silver Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of...

Vintage Netturpetti Brass-Mounted Teak Dowry Jewelry Box, Kerala, India, Circa 1950 A beautifully handcrafted Netturpetti (Nettoor Petti), a highly collectible traditional Kerala do...

Anglo-Indian Mother of Pearl Inlaid jewelry Box. 1940s Victorian Anglo Indian box in silver, bone and mother of pearl Inlaid. An elegant Anglo Indian bon...

19th century Anglo-Indian wooden box fitted with various compartments finely hand carved. The top is finely hand carved with the Taj Mahal. The interior with removable hand carved nine-lidded compartments, the front cover has a mirror, the whole exhibiting very fine workmanship. This fine late Victorian Anglo-Indian box from India is in great condition for it age. A beautiful example of an Anglo-Indian fine art...

19th Century Anglo-Indian Faux Tortoiseshell, Carved Bone and Ebony Inlaid Jewelry Box with Elephant Motif An exceptional 19th-century Anglo-Indian jewelry...

Vintage Rajasthani Pietra Dura White Stone Inlay Taj Mahal India Style coaster plates. Rajasthani inlaid stone marble decorative set of 7 small roun...

Hand-carved Buddha sculpture mounted on wooden base. A-445-335

For your consideration, a vintage Indian-style slipper ashtray, likely made of silver-plated brass or similar metal. The object features ornate, hand-etched floral and leaf patterns ...

Impressive antique Anglo Indian box crafted in mahogany, clad in tortoise shell, and ambitiously decorated with bone. The inside has a mirror and red felt lining.

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. Porcupine quillwork objects of...

Asian decorative trinket lidded box in metal silvered hammered and etched with organic floral design. Anglo Raj style oval form betel box. Dimensio...

Monumental Anglo-Indian Polychromed Rajasthan Bulbous Covered Tole Urn India, Circa 1960s A monumental example of Anglo-Indian workmanship, this polychromed Rajasthan bulbous cove...

Likely Chinese, late 19th to early 20th century. This carved buddha figure traditional features including elongated ears, draped robes, a lotus blossom support and raised hands. The...

Anglo Indian straw work box with diamond pattern and painted borders. This is a sweet small decorative box, very appealing design with rounded ends on a rectangular body. Unusual eye...

Vintage Indian Hand-Painted Metal Water Vessel Vase. This stunning vintage Indian water vessel is a large, hand-painted metal piece that combines the beauty of traditional Rajasthani artistry with functional design. Featuring vibrant, polychrome depictions of couples in traditional attire, it tells a charming love story through intricate scenes of courtship. This Anglo-Indian polychromed Rajasthan bulbous covered tole urn is a stunning example of mid 20th-century craftsmanship from India, made in the 1950s. urn features a striking ribbed bulbous design and intricate hand-painted details. The surface showcases continuous vertical vignettes of Raj Royals set in a stylized floral garden, rendered in soft, earthy tones that enhance its antique charm. A true statement piece from the mid-20th century, this antique water vessel...

PRESENTING a LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Bombay MOP (Mother of Pearl) Sadeli Mosaic Trinket Box from circa 1875-85. Gorgeously detailed and hand-crafted ‘sadeli mosaic’ inlay, from the Bombay Area, with deep greens with silver, pewter, mother of pearl, bone and ebony in geometric patterns. The box case, is made of sandalwood but completely covered in MOP, bone, faux ivory, ebony and mosaic inlay. Edged with faux ivory and banded with a different pattern of sadeli mosaic. Some minor damage to the top (repair is obvious in pics) and ivorine replacements to some edging, but it still a BEAUTIFUL BOX and of real QUALITY! The mosaic work is FABULOUS! Box opens to reveal its original blue velvet lining. It sits on 4 (recently added) silvered button feet. SADELI MOSAIC: “Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials. Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra color. The mosaic pieces in a combination of patterns, often separated by ivory, ebony, horn or silver stringing were used to veneer sandalwood boxes. In the early boxes, which date from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, there are large panels of mosaic covering tops and sides of boxes. It took incredible skill to cover such large areas without any shakes or wavering of the pattern. The corners and joins on these boxes are impeccably matched. The makers (reputed to be Persian) of Sadeli mosaic made in the first two decades of the 19th century displayed a total understanding of the qualities of the different materials they used. They combined substances, which can expand and contract according to atmospheric conditions with others, which are hard and unyielding. The result was a sharp definition of the lines and patterns, which made up the whole design. On the early boxes the designs look deceptively simple. The fact is, they emerged from a culture, which had mastered geometry and understood how to generate a pattern from a set number of points. The patterns are so harmoniously combined that their incredible complexity is not immediately apparent. The earliest Sadeli boxes...

PRESENTING A VERY NICE 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Teak and Sandalwood Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1890-1900. The box case/body is made of sandalwood wit...

A beautifully handcrafted pietra dura round marble trinket box, showcasing the centuries-old decorative art form perfected in both Mughal India and Renaissance Florence. The lid feat...

A characterful pair of early 20th-century Indian lassi cups, individually hand engraved with scrolling flowers, leafy stems, and finely worked geometric bor...

Jaipur Style French Porcelain Vide-Poche or Ashtray with Indian Miniature Portrait An elegant vintage French porcelain vide-poche or decorative ashtray inspired by the luxurious Jaip...

Impressive antique Anglo Indian lidded box handcrafted in porcupine quills and ebony decorated with bone dots. The interior has nine bone decorated lidded compartments in a removable...

Vizagapatam box, India, 19th century. This highly decorative and unusual Anglo-Indian table box features rustic workmanship that adds to the character and charm of this unique Sout...

Mughal style pietra dura marble bowl - hand made - featuring a floral design with lapis lazuli, malachite, mother-of-pearl and turquoise inlay - unsigned - India - mid 20th century. ...

A striking pair of very decorative and serene Carved Wood Kneeling Supplicants in bold red paint flecked with gold and having applied colored mirror piec...

Maria Poveka (1887-1980) Native Clay with Traditional San Ildefonso Black Slip. Polished to a Medium High Finish. Signed Maria Poveka, pot dates to the 19...

Set of three Regency Anglo Indian rosewood boxes with brass mounts. These graduated boxes nest into each other. Handsome and useful additions...

Antique Persian Khatam Micro Mosaic Inlaid Jewelry Box with Miniature Polo Scene, circa 1940s This exquisite Persian Khatam Kari trinket box is a rare example of masterful micro mosaic marquetry, handcrafted in the 1940s using the ancient Persian art of inlay. Featuring an intricately detailed geometric design and a miniature hand-painted equestrian scene on the lid, this museum-quality piece is a stunning representation of Indo-Persian and Moorish craftsmanship. Khatam Kari, or Persian marquetry, is a centuries-old decorative art that flourished during the Safavid dynasty. It involves the meticulous inlay of thousands of tiny pieces of wood and bone into intricate, repeating geometric patterns—each symbolic of harmony and cosmic order. The top of this box is adorned with a finely rendered painting of royal figures on horseback, possibly princes engaged in a ceremonial game of polo, echoing the refined court culture of the 19th-century Persian and Mughal aristocracy. The box’s micro mosaic surface is covered in richly detailed star and polygon motifs typical of Khatam and Sadeli mosaic traditions. These patterns require precise mathematical planning and exceptional artisanal skill, resulting in a surface that is as intellectually complex as it is visually stunning. Details: * Origin: Asia Indo-Persian * Date: Circa 1940s * Materials: Inlaid woods, camel bone, hand-painted miniature * Style: Islamic Art, Moorish, Anglo-Indian, Micro Mosaic * Dimensions: Height 1.5 in. x Width 6.5 in. x Depth 4.25 in. * Condition: antique condition with minor wear consistent with age These boxes were traditionally used to store writing instruments or jewelry, and today they serve as timeless collectors' pieces, suitable for display or thoughtful gifting. Comparable examples can be found in major Islamic art collections, including the Doris Duke Museum of Islamic Art. Keywords: Persian Khatam Box...

This seemingly simple wooden vase is a design object of infinite beauty and elegance that can be placed in either an antique or a modern or contemporary setting. They are Indian arte...

Pair of Anglo-Indian Cast & Engraved Brass Ewers, Black Enamel & British Coins, India, 1960s An exotic pair of Anglo-Indian cast and engraved brass ewers, crafted in India during th...

A small Sinhalese Porcupine Quill Box with a sliding lid. The panels of porcupine quill panels arranged in a chevron pattern, bordered with ebony and bone inlaid banding. Ceylonese ...

Impressive antique Anglo Indian lap top desk crafted in quills and ebony decorated with bone dots. The surprising interior has multiple components featuring a felt writing surface, n...

Anglo-Indian Inlaid Hardwood Humidor or Tobacco Box, Attributed to Vizagapatam, British India, Late 19th Century A finely constructed Anglo-Indian humidor or tobacco box of compact ...

Antique Anglo-Indian Kashmir Hand-Carved Wood Jewelry Box, Velvet Lined, circa 1920s A beautifully handcrafted Anglo Raj Kashmir wood trinket ...

Carved Indian Colonial Hardwood Elephant Drinks Table or Stool India for the English Market, early to mid-20th century A charming carved Indian Colonial hardwood elephant drinks ...

Exceptional 19th century Anglo Indian writing box handcrafted in ebony and intricately decorated with porcupine quills and bone dot inlay. The hinged case opens to reveal a geometric...

19C Anglo Indian solid silver perfume bottle case. Lovely 19th century Anglo-Indian solid silver perfume bottle case with profuse repousse work. Not hallmarked because it was m...

19th century Anglo-Indian Mughal wood box, inlaid and hand carved with the Taj Mahal and some flowers all around. Jewelry box, Anglo-Raj box from India in great condition. Nice Mughal Bombay Box...

Vintage South Asian / Kashmir hand painted and gilt decorated papier mâché bowl - large size - featuring a colorful and extensive floral pattern within roundels set against a black l...

Pair of Boho Brass & Pink Enameled Lotus Bowls by Sarreid Ltd. A striking pair of mid-20th-century Indian brass pedestal bowls by Sarreid Ltd., featuring vibrant hand-painted enamel...

Vintage jeweled elephant sculpture paper weight wearing traditional ceremonial costume. Finely hand painted animal sculpture of an elephant...

1920s Hand Painted East Indian Decorative Box. An antique Rajasthani Indian hand painted wood box, early 20th century. The box is handcrafted of wood and feature a hinged lid that can be opened and closed to access the contents inside. Hand painted colorful Indian box with lid depicting human figures and flowers. Style: Anglo Raj, Paint, Wood, Hand-Crafted Place of Origin: India. Anglo Raj Vintage Wooden Box Hand Painted Indian Chest Trinket 1920s. Large Trinket Box Folk Art Hand Painted Colorful Asian Jewellery Chest...

A vintage Hindu Dancing Shiva - Nataraja Lord of Dance - Dancing in a ring of fire. Cast in Bronze/brass with silver-plate details and hand-etchings. Mad...

An antique Hand-Chiseled Indo-Persian Brass Bowl. An exquisite antique Indo-Persian brass bowl, masterfully hand-chiseled with intricate arabesque, floral, and animal motifs. Crafted...

Charming vintage handmade Indian folk art elephant toy, hand carved from wood and elaborately hand painted and decorated with colorful textiles, sequins, beads and metallic embellish...

This silver trinket or jewelry box dates to the late 19th century and is presumed have been made in India. The silver tests to between .850 and 900 and as such, is slightly below .92...

The brass Mughal hookah features a beautifully engraved brass base adorned with intricate floral and geometric motifs. The base is a work of art, showca...

Intriguing antique Anglo Indian lidded box handcrafted in porcupine quills and ebony in a hexagon form decorated with bone dots. The interior is lined with felt and features a painte...

Decorative Mughal Raj Vizagapatam Carved Veneered Bone Jewelry Rectangular shape Box. Vintage Asian lidded box crafted with bone finely engraved and hand painted in black with geometric Moorish designs. Delightful Anglo Indian footed box crafted with an intricate patterned polished bone inlay mosaic over a wood frame. Handmade in Vizagapatam, India, mid 20th century. Elegant intricate pattern. A true work of Islamic artwork...

Charming petite antique Anglo Indian lidded box handcrafted in indigenous hardwoods clad in tortoise shell and decorated with elaborate lacy bone designs, featuring an etched and pai...

Double height carved Indian box An unusual piece with 2 levels, the top of the box in the octagonal shape has an opening lid. The lower is recta...

For your consideration, vintage bronze Buddah head sculpture with beautiful verdigris patina. Unmarked, no information available about the maker or country of origin. Dimensions: 1...

Cast Brass Engraved Brazier Box with Pierced Charcoal Tray, North India, Late 19th Century Dimensions: Consisting of Two Pieces: the Box and the Removable Tray Box: 10.5” W to handl...

The brass Mughal hookah features a beautifully engraved brass base adorned with intricate floral and geometric motifs. The base is a work of art, showca...