{"product_id":"antique-indian-polychrome-carved-dowry-box-with-peacocks-c-1900","title":"Antique Indian Polychrome Carved Dowry Box with Peacocks, c.1900","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully characterful antique Indian dowry box, richly carved and decorated in vibrant polychrome, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcquired as a dowry chest, this smaller casket-sized example would have been suited to storing jewellery, personal possessions, textiles or other valued objects associated with marriage and the household.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe substantial hardwood box is carved in deep relief throughout. Against a predominantly black ground are scrolling flowers, foliage and striking animal and bird motifs picked out in red, green, ochre, brown and gilt tones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe hinged lid is particularly sculptural, with a pair of large stylised birds, likely peacocks, facing downwards amongst carved scrollwork. Additional bird decoration appears to the end, while the two long sides are centred respectively by a bird surrounded by foliage and a wonderfully naïve boar-like animal flanked by large floral roundels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe carving has an appealing folk quality, with strong three-dimensional modelling and considerable variation from one side to another. Decades of rubbing, chipping and paint loss have exposed areas of the timber beneath, creating a beautifully aged and layered surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe interior is painted in a muted mauve-pink tone, which appears to be a later decorative treatment. The original external decoration has deliberately been left untouched, preserving the extensive patina and imperfections that give the piece its distinctive presence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt 48 cm wide, it is a particularly decorative size: substantial enough to make an impact on a console, sideboard or large table, while remaining practical as a storage box.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Odloft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53803082449243,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1024\/1330\/4155\/files\/image_f85eb809-71f6-4812-8662-4a7a7ad8667e.png?v=1786961106","url":"https:\/\/odloft.com\/products\/antique-indian-polychrome-carved-dowry-box-with-peacocks-c-1900","provider":"Odloft","version":"1.0","type":"link"}