POSSIBLY DECCAN, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY

The broad, domed form of the present vessel belongs to a long tradition of Indian lidded containers, used for betel ingredients, spices, cosmetics and other household possessions. The waisted profile is comparable to boxes made using a variety of metalworking techniques in the Deccan. Several similarly shaped pandans are published in Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India (London, 1997, cat. 11, p. 40; cat. 19, p. 44; cat. 452, p. 266). A box of similar size and form, with openwork decoration, was sold in these Rooms, 20 October 2016, lot 119.