λ AN ENGRAVED IVORY AND BUFFALO HORN-OVERLAID CARVED SANDALWOOD STATIONARY CASKET
Possibly Vizagapatam, Andhra Pradesh, Eastern India, second half 19th century

Of rectangular shape with a round-arched hinged lid, reminiscent in format to Western coffers and relic caskets, resting on a flat plain base, the exterior of the sandalwood body clad in rectangular panels of buffalo horn overlaid with a variety of engraved and pierced ivory decorative elements including long ivory bands imitating brass containment bands of large trunks, pinned onto the buffalo panels with ivory studs, the bands engraved and filled with black-painted vegetal festoons and rosette heads; and openwork vegetal medallions with foliage and interlocking scrolls; the interior divided into eight narrow rectangular compartments, mostly open, only one lidded, the edges enhanced with ivory fretwork bands, the lid's interior plain, 21cm x 15.5cm x 26.5cm.

A similarly decorated nécessaire casket was recently sold in these Rooms, 16 July 2021, lot 344.

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