Painted Merchants Box From Bikaner - 19th Century Hat The name of the original

The name of the original owner can still be seen on the inside of the lid

108 x 58 x 53 (wxdxh cms)

Guaranteed frost hardy - winter in North China drops to -20 Celsius

A larger inferior example can be found in the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi

increasingly rare to find in such quality and condition

Painted Merchants Box From Bikaner - 19th Century Hat The name of the originalThis lovely painted antique Indian box is from the town of Bikaner and has the original metalwork. It is made from roheda wood and dates to the 19th century, and is beautifully bound in hand forged brass. Unusually its painted in a dark green tone. These boxes were used in the old days by merchants and traders in the bazaars for storing their cash and ledgers. They were also used by Indian families for the dowry of their daughters, as a trousseau.