Description:
SB569: Important and impressive Anglo Indian (Vizagapatam) horn sewing box. The top is made up of large radiating segments of buffalo horn. In the center is a knob which is overhanging. This is turned and carved. The whole stands on turned horn feet. It is in wonderful condition maintaining its integrity and patina. The color is now a green glow. The inside is sandal wood. Circa 1835.

Origin: India;  Circa:  1835 ; Materials: horn sandalwood ivory.

Size: 37.6 cm wide by 27.3 cm by 20.4 cm:  14.8  inches wide by   10.8 inches by  8  inches.

Condition: good overall; working lock and key; see images

There are additional images of this box at:

http://hygra.com/sb/hornaisb.htm  

This photograph shows the box with another box made of the same materials. It  is likely that the same artist craftsperson was responsible for both.

There are further details of the smaller box at:

Hygra: An Anglo Indian Vizagapatam radiating black buffalo horn of dramatic curved shape Circa 1820 -45

Detail of top: the knob has a lathe turned center, then sixteen segments, then sixteen further segments, and the top thirty two radiating pieces of horn. and all is carved to an absolute sharpness. I have photographed it with the knob of SB568 in the foreground. There is a similarity of workmanship and material pointing to the two boxes being made by the same master craftsperson. 

The impact of the top is difficult to convey. I don't think I have ever seen a better example of uninterrupted radiating horn. The pieces of horn are large and would in themselves have been prized and fought over materials. 

It is only the master who would have earned the position and the right to make such a box as this.

And  inside: lined with sandal wood still retaining its particular perfume, separate internal lids mitered top, and most unusually turned horn sewing tools:

The precision and symmetry is evident throughout the piece. Hinges handles and original velvet are all in good order. 

The lift out tray has two little drop handles.

 

The spools  are finely turned. Such sewing tools and the horn thimble are rare, especially of such quality.

Horn thimbles are especially rare.