This is a highly collectable little antique Indian silver hinged snuff box.
It comes from Trichinopoly or Tanjore in South India and dates to about the 1860s or 70s.
The silver and gold items produced in Trichinopoly tended to be small, luxurious items such as snuff boxes and perfume bottles. Similar silverwork was undertaken in nearby Tanjore. Examples of Trichinopoly and Tanjore silverwork are relatively rare among colonial Indian silverwork. Most customers would have been serving male military officers or employees of the East India Company,
The design on the lid shows Vishnu seated on a large throne with lion pad feet and tall minaret spars to each side. The throne is flanked on each side by recumbent lions and above are flying deities.
My box is in fine antique condition, as you can see in my photographs. The lid is hinged and secure.
Good condition- as nice an example as you might find. A couple of wee dents to the interior commensurate with use and age - but on display looks just delightful.
The lid and sides have an elaborate chased design
This beautiful and rare box is made of high-grade silver. It is a double-walled snuff box,
Dimensions: 6.2 cm x 4.5 x 1.9 cm
The box is quite heavy for its size - as it is "double-walled". The interior of the box is nice and clean with a blush of gold gilt to give a pretty gold tone.
Weight unpacked is 80 grams.
These boxes are much sought after and of high quality. They are hard to source - and this is all reflected in my asking price for this interesting and historical little snuff box.
HAPPY TO POST INTERNATIONALLY, PLEASE ASK FOR A POSTAL QUOTE OUTSIDE OF THE UK.