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Description: http://hygra.com/uk/n11/SB607
Ref : SB607 Anglo Indian sewing basket made from large flat Panels of flattened buffalo horn. The mitered joins at the corners have engraved silver straps. Inside there is a compartmentalized lift-out tray, lined with faded pink silk, containing three carved and turned mother of pearl (nacre) and bone spools, a turned and carved bone bodkin, and a silver caped cut crystal sent bottle with a glass stopper. 
Origin: India;  Circa: 1800 ; Materials: Buffalo horn, bone, mother of pearl, silk.
Size: 25.5 cm wide by 15.3 cm by 9.8 cm:  10  inches wide by  6  inches by  3.9 inches.

Condition: good overall;  see images. Some wear  to the silk.

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The basket is constructed from large flat panels of buffalo horn. These would have been flattened using heat and moisture. When first made the horn would have been almost black but has now faded displaying a greenish gray color.

The mitered tapered side panels are held together by pinned engraved silver straps.  

The inside of the lid which has been exposed to much less light than the outside has retained its original black colour.

Inside there is a compartmentalized lift-out tray, lined with faded pink silk, containing three carved and turned mother of pearl (nacre) and bone spools, a turned and carved bone bodkin, and a silver caped cut crystal sent bottle with a glass stopper.

 The bone is easily recognizable from the little flecks of black. 

The mother of pearl topped spools have turned bone shanks in the pre 1830 form. Around 1830 spools were made to come apart with a wooden real of thread being put on a thin metal spindle. The earlier spool needs the thread to be wound on directly on the spindle.

The spool tops are turned and carved.

The shaped handle is particularly eligant.

Turned and carved bone bodkin.

The cut crystal sent bottle has an unmarked silver top and a glass stopper. It is reminiscent of French work of the time. 

 Originally the lid had small horn dowels with corresponding holes to the sides acting as hinges. These have now worn away and have been replaced by silver mounts. The strap plate is a copy of one surviving on the other side which may be an early repair. 

 The strap is perhaps an early repair to give extra strength.