Painted Merchants Box From Bikaner - 19th Century Hat increasingly rare to find in

increasingly rare to find in such quality and condition

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

27 x 19 x 19 cm (wxdxh cms)

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

Painted Merchants Box From Bikaner - 19th Century Hat increasingly rare to find inThis 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.