Anglo-Indian Decorative Objects

Indian teak work or stationary box with brass tack and applique decoration on the top and sides and fitted with brass lift-handles. the interior fitted with lift out trays and open c...

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...

This is an elegant hand carved stone trinket box. This box has intricate carvings of bamboo around the entire service of the stone box. The outer layer of the carving is the natural ...

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Inlaid Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India, circa 1880. The box is made of sandalwood with highly carved raised teak wood panels on all sides, depicting temple scenes, animals and foliage. The box is in a sarcophagus form. It is edged in bone (and we can tell it is bone and not ivory, from the color and evidence of capillaries, which are not found in ivory), and banded with Bombay Sadeli mosaic and ebony veneer. The lid opens to reveal a removable tray with various open compartments and lidded compartments. 5 lidded compartments, 1 unlidded compartment and 8 holders for thimbles, etc The tray lifts to reveal a blue velvet (original) lined section, for storing jewelry etc, with sections for collars etc. The inside of the lid has a removable mirror (the mirror is missing on this one but can easily be replaced). Behind the mirror is the original green velvet lining. It has its original brass carry handles on the sides and sits on 4 silvered button feet (of recent origin). Some repairs to the exterior and condition issues (priced accordingly), but still a LOVELY COLLECTIBLE box! 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! 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...

Dating from the early 18th century, this grouping of brass pen cases have their origins in Persia, Egypt and Japan respectively. Each case is intricately engraved with a patterned sc...

This is a pair of antique presentation serving dishes. An Indian, silver plated decorative bowl with relief detail and fish motif to centre, dating to the early Victorian period, cir...

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...

1950s Fine And Densely Carved Anglo-Indian Style Box Drawer at outside base of box South-Indian or Anglo-Indian style Lacking keys Decoration adorned on all sides depicting birds amo...

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...

Pair Of Anglo-Indian Brass Urns With Cobras. This great pair of incised brass urns with cobra handles date to the 1920's India. Unusual statement acce...

Pair Of Japanned Chinoiserie Tea Caddies With Sifter Drawers, Anglo-Indian Or English, Circa 1800–1830 Form and construction, these read as a scarce, matched pair of japanned tea ca...

An exquisite 19th century luxury sailor's box in sandalwood with dramatically contrasting bone and ebony geometric decoration and string inlay having raised center tier with sliding ...

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...

1950's Anglo Indian, Indo Persian style micro mosaic inlaid jewelry box with lid. Large vintage intricate inlaid middle Eastern Persian style box with floral and geometric Islamic Mo...

This antique decorative box was made by the Apollo Manufacturing Company of the United States in approximately 1920 in an Anglo-Indian style. ...

Pair of 19th Century or Older Indian Carved Stone Lions on Custom Wooden Bases 4 Pieces, Stone Lions, 2 Custom Hardwood Bases A charming and unusual pair of 19th-century or older ha...

Large Anglo Indian Moorish Islamic style micro mosaic inlaid jewelry box with lid. Intricate inlaid Anglo Persian box with floral and geometric Moorish Sadeli design in an hexagonal shape form with micro mosaic marquetry, very fine artwork. Museum collector piece like the one in Doris Duke Islamic Art Museum. The repeating geometric patterns of Sadeli Mosaic are what give it beauty and richness. This decorative technique is a type of micro mosaic featuring repeating geometric patterns. Dimensions: H: 5 in : 12 in W x 12 in. D. Circa 1950s. Sadeli mosaic art is a highly skilled craft, it has had a long history in India and the Middle East with early examples dating back to the 16th century. In the 1800s, it became popular as a decoration on a variety of boxes, card cases, and chess boards imported from India. Since Bombay became a center of making them, they became known as Bombay boxes. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before Indian boxes appeared. The designs on early boxes 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 isn’t immediately apparent to the viewer. Will look great in a Moroccan decor...

Vintage Persian Miniature Framed Hand Painted 3 Part Village Scene on Bone. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 10" H x 20" W x 1" D. Each Plaque: 2.75" H x 4" W

Anglo Indian cast brass elephant captured in mid strut and decorated with red and yellow enamel.

Pair of Anglo-Indian Cast Brass Ashtrays — Dhokra Tribal Bracelet Form A distinctive pair of handcrafted cast brass ashtrays, reimagined from traditional Indian jewelry forms. Each p...

Large pair of mid 20th century Indonesian salt glazed decoration dogs circa 1950. Know in english as the lion dogs and used to symbolise guarding important entrances and buildings  ...

2 Antique 19th century Anglo Indian brass bound carved wood peat buckets with turned, reeded Design and applied brass animals. including, lovely patina, carved from a single piece of...

This majestic pair of monumental elephant statues brings an unparalleled sense of architectural drama and global history to any interior. Masterfully hand-carved, each piece features...

Richly carved hardwood Indian box for storage of fans in a fine quality Late 19th century length 38 cm, width 6.5 and 12.5 cm, height 7 cm Aged patina

This antique cast and cold-painted inkwell has no maker's marks, but presumed to have originated from Austria and dating to approximately 1900 and done in the Anglo-Indian style. Thi...

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...

Architectural portal sculpture made of solid teak with original green-turquoise coloring, India, last third of the 18th century. As the name suggests, the object originates from an ...

Two ceramic vases fabricated in Norway, 1960s. Indigenous, rustic, boho chic, wabi sabi style.

1950s Wood Himachal Pot 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 set...

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

Antique iron bound merchants chest with hidden compartments. The chest is very heavy, it has a great deal of thick iron banding and brass and iron st...

This is a vintage coastal read bamboo serving tray. This handsome serving tray has two arched brass handles on either side with a read base giving the tray a slight elevation off of ...

In a corner of a serene temple, bathed in the soft golden light of dawn, stands a Buddha like no other. This exquisite embodiment of spiritual devotion comes from the heart of Thailand and southern Burma, testimony to centuries of unwavering faith and artistry. This is no ordinary Buddha: it is a Mon image, a timeless work of art that whispers stories of centuries past. With wooden stand. Cradled gently by the hands of time, this particular masterpiece emerged during the 17th century and its aura has evolved and matured over the years. The specimen in this photo of Denison, a treasure in its own right, bears the elegant imprints of the 19th century. Carved from the humble lap of wood, it exudes a sacred presence that transcends the boundaries of time and space. Observing this Mon Buddha...

A hand-carved marble platter, server or charger from India. 24 inches diameter.

Anglo Raj carved soap stone footed jewelry box.. Handcrafted decorative box with foliage design with soap stone natural jade like colors. Lined with red velvet. Very nice fine art...

An exquisite Indian Koftgari work box, or jewelry box, circa 1900, in oval shape. Featuring very fine, gold thread decoration with three silvered bun feet and a silvered base. The li...

Antique Anglo Indian Hindu treasure jewelry metal bronze box. 19th century Anglo Indian antique metal box handcrafted with hinged lid with a swing ...

Illuminate your space with the warmth of a bygone era. This exquisite set of three vintage votive candleholders brings the timeless elegance of Indian craftsmanship to your home. Hai...

Pair of Anglo Indian brass ducks. We offer a large pair of Hollywood Regency/Anglo-Indian brass duck sculptures or figures with beautiful incised...

Amusing pair of antique anglo Indian birds with a folky charm that have been carved from indigenous hardwood and painted a long ago, now with a rustic patina. Presented on custom sta...

A late-19th century Mughal Indian oversized Mughal Indian brass bottle urn. A sleek, elegant brass vessel, fluted neck, with cap. Lucknow circa ...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, super decorative antique Islamic Anglo Indian Sadeli Micro Mosaic Card Case A wonderfully orig...

Very large brass jardinière with elephant ring handles A very large piece, and heavy too The pot is round with a wavy beaten top edge it is ...

Handmade silver Anglo-Indian bowl with eight figures each featuring a different pose. Ornate engraved peacock on the bottom of bowl.

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

Antique Anglo-Indian garniture boxes featuring silvered metal lids, dramatic finials and hand-hammered floral and geometric designs over a coconut vessel. The carved ebony elephants ...

This unique 19th-century basket combines Dutch craftsmanship with Anglo-Indian stylistic influences, resulting in a truly distinctive piece. The box features paneling across the main...

Hand tooled cast metal incense stick holder in a Snail Shaped form. Vintage cast brass incense burner holder. A censer, incense burner, perfume ...

This elaborately decorated enameled brass charger or wall hanging is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from India and dating to approximately 1920 and done in an Anglo-Indian...

Large color decoration dish of Imari, old made in Japan in porcelain. This superb dish, measuring 41 cm in diameter and 5 cm in height, is in excellent condition and sports colors th...

These beads where made by a true craftsman's hands. Each one is uniquely formed with minor imperfections and age. They are strewn along a bright braided Raffia ribbon giving this pie...

In the early 19th century, in the heart of Burma, a small but profoundly meaningful masterpiece emerged—a lacquered wooden sculpture that captures the essence of devotion and prayer....

Unusual coco de mer tea caddy crafted with a double lobe nut found on the Seychelles Islands, it is said to have mystical properties. Featuring malachite f...

Very large beautiful vintage handcrafted decorative round copper box with lid, latch and handle Delicately and intricately hand-hammered with geometric designs. Hand crafted by skill...

Primitive Architectural Carved Wood Mounted Sculpture A beautiful piece of folk architecture from the Indian continent, the carving was used to mark doorways etc. warding off bad s...

Anglo-Indian bowl with a gilt metal frame supported by three gilt metal elephants with their trunks up for good luck.

A large pair of cast brass garnitures or chenets in the Orientalist or Anglo-Indian taste featuring full bodied caparisoned elephants carrying an elaborate howdah (saddle) with a sch...

Whimsical silvered metal feline handcrafted with a folky charm that is hammered and etched in a decorated floral design that unexpectedly opens as a trinket box.

Owl Kachina by Gaspar, sterling and turquoise figure. Some of the Turquoise is missing from the base as seen in photos. Marked sterling on bottom.

19th Century Burmese Rosewood Jardinere or Torchere. The lobed Bowl Carved with fruiting vines on an entwined Cobra Column. The base is carved with sc...