grand angloindian carved buffalo horn vizagapatam tea caddy c1840

Description

A really special example of a Vizagapatam black Buffalo tea caddy or chest created from glossy fluted horn panels, the top crowned with Ivory having a decorative incised and lac filled inlay. The box stands on four magnificent carved Ivory feet.
The interior reveals a traditional Sandalwood interior to the lid, with a central inlaid Sadeli mosaic roundel.
The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials.
Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra colour.
The two large lift off lids are outstanding, again covered in glossy horn surrounded by Ivory slips again incised and Lac filled creating an outstanding contrast to the rich horn. The lids each has a turned Ivory handle.
The centre retains a wonderful heavy cut crystal mixing bowl finishing off this top-notch gem.
A really special caddy in quite magnificent condition, complete with working tasselled key. 14" x 7 1/2" x 6 1/2" tall.
Item ID: 34644
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