Imposing Indian Chest In Exotic Wood And Wrought Iron, 19th Century

Magnificent Indian chest in exotic solid wood and wrought iron. 19th century period. Old storage chest from Rajasthan or other regions of India, often used in the past as a wedding chest or merchant's chest. It is made of exotic solid wood and richly covered with metal fittings (wrought iron) on all its sides. It is of robust rectangular shape with its slightly domed lid and rests on a discreet base. Its facade and sides are decorated with studded fittings forming a regular pattern (here a grid pattern). The corners and edges are reinforced with metal strips. The lid is secured by a double metal clasp on the front. Intended to be padlocked. Metal carrying handles are attached to its sides. The wood and metal have an aged patina (traces of use, rustic appearance), testifying to its antiquity and its history. The interior shows raw wood with two storage compartments on each of its sides. There are also two small compartments in the middle just below the lid with their facades removable, decorated with ironwork. You will also find two trapdoors at the bottom of the chest that open onto storage spaces hidden under the main floor. These hiding places were once used to conceal valuables, jewelry, or important documents. This magnificent piece of furniture is an example of Indian craftsmanship from this period, combining functional robustness for travel or storage with rich symbolic and protective decoration.