Large Indian Elk Horn Tea Caddy

Vizagapatam | c. 1850

Made of sandalwood overlaid with strips of elk horn, the radiating sunburst top is centred by an oval and encloses a fitted interior. A central compartment is formed by a sandalwood panel covered with ivory which is lac inlaid with trailing foliage and flower heads. This panel is flanked by two rectangular lidded compartments, each lid similarly decorated but with an additional central oval garland centred by a flower head knob. The main body is serpentine shaped on all four sides and sits on four turned and carved bun feet.

Silver brace lid support, mixing bowl and lock keep lacking. Two added brass hinges.

Width: 15” (38cm); Depth: 8 ½” (21.5); Height: 8” (20cm).

See illustration 61 Page 214 ‘Furniture from British India and Ceylon’ by Amin Jaffer for V & A Publications.

£1,550


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