Tobacco & Opium Container From Rajasthan - 18th Century Chests Damascene work is the art

Damascene work is the art of inlaying precious metals into other metals

A similar example can be found in the Tropenmuseum

and then cast in molten bronze

Large: 91 x 2

Tobacco & Opium Container From Rajasthan - 18th Century Chests Damascene work is the artThis is an excellent example of a Northern Indian tobacco box dating to the 18th century. These boxes are also called opium boxes. This particular box comes complete with its original iron scraper for accessing the dregs. Opium boxes were owned by wealthy Marwari merchants and caravan traders across Rajasthan. Opium consumption in Rajasthan would have been commonplace amongst wealthier Rajasthanis and these pots would have been used in conjunction