Hygra: Antique Anglo Indian, Vizagapatam Porcupine Quill Horn and Ivory Basket-form box Circa 1850

Anglo-Indian, Vizagapatam, box in the form of a basket, the wooden frame covered in porcupine quills, framed in ivory which is incised and decorated in black lacquer, with a horn handle. It stands on turned horn feet. Circa 1850.

Origin: India Vizagapatam; Circa: 1850; Materials: sandalwood, porcupine quills, ivory, buffalo horn .

Size: 23cm wide by 17 cm by 10 cm (23cm high with handle): 9 inches wide by 6.7 inches by 3.9 inches (9 inches high with handle).

Condition: good overall but some age losses and breaks to the quills and ivory; see images.

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The different materials are in perfect harmony. The quills are reminiscent of the weave of cut reeds, the ivory provides a neat colour-contrasting frame and the horn gives a feeling of strength with its
dark reeded surface.

The quality of slight translucency in the horn, stops it from being too heavy. The lid has a slight pyramid incline.

The higher centre culminates in a horn turned circle. It appears as if the quills are gathered up.

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The handle makes a pleasing arch.

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Top showing how ingeniously the whole thing is constructed to give the impression of “gather”.

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Inside the box is lined with sandalwood.

The lid has a turned horn handle.

Box with friends.

Basket form boxes from India were popular from about 1820.

see: below.

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See:

Anglo Indian, Vizagapatam Porcupine Quill Horn and Ivory Basket-form box Circa 1850

SB421: Anglo Indian basket form box veneered with ebony and inlaid with Sadeli mosaic having an ebony handle and standing on turned ebony feet the inside lined with sandalwood. circa 1840. Enlarge Picture

Antique Anglo Indian basket form box veneered with ebony inlaid with Sadeli mosaic circa 1840

SB536: A sandalwood basket veneered in horn and ivory. Although such baskets were a popular Vizagapatam design, this one is very unusual in that it combines both solid ivory panels incised and lac filled in traditional plant motifs and fretted ivory work. Furthermore, the central cartouches are engraved with representations of Indian deities and not floral designs which was the normal decoration on such baskets. It stands on lion paw feet. The handle is decorated with scrolling flowers in characteristic fashion. Circa 1870. Enlarge Picture

Antique fine Anglo Indian (Vizagapatam) Sandalwood, horn, and ivory basket form box Circa 1870

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References:
See Antique Boxes Tea Caddies Society
See: Furniture from British India and Ceylon Amin Jaffir
See: Luxury Goods from India: The Art of the Indian Cabinet-maker Amin Jaffer 2002

Other Anglo Indian boxes:

Below are some Anglo-Indian- boxes I have documented on our site. It is becoming increasingly hard to find examples which have survived with their integrity

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2013 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com