Kerala Wedding Casket, Polychrome Lacquered Wood And Ironwork, India, 19th Century

Wedding box from Kerala, India, 19th century.

With its typical shape inspired by the roofs of the houses in the Malabar province, this large wedding box intended to contain the bride's jewelry is a testament to the marital customs of this beautiful coastal region of southwest India.

Traditionally made of painted and lacquered polychrome wood (from the teak family), and rich ornamental ironwork in the forms of flamed or openwork stylized hearts, the richest of these boxes are decorated with rich, warm and luminous colors that draw geometric friezes with registers of crosses and stars, enclosing fertile plant foliage, as is the case for our example.

There are some losses to the decoration, as well as a few rivets.
Also note, as documented in the photographs, accidents and cracks.
The object remains in a beautiful general state of preservation, with its history and patina. Complete with its lock (not functional) and key. A little play on one hinge.
Beautiful remains of polychromy.

Two interior compartments, one of which is closable, all entirely in wood and quite rustic, as is customary in these old examples (the most recent ones are most often decorated).
Height 230mm
Length 300mm
Width 230mm