A large, richly engraved brass box with a domed lid. On opposing ends are hinges and a clasp to lift the lid. Across the box and lid, floral designs dominate. The body of the box has a repeating pattern of large lobed cartouches with branches of flowers filled inside. Around the cartouches are vines and scrolls, and each cartouche is separated by vines of leaves. Smaller cartouches with a lotus within each run across the rim of the lid. The lid itself has repeating leaf design. The top of the lid ends in a ring. The inside of the box is smooth. Brass boxes of this design were typically used as pandans, however, this box is nearly twice the size of those examples.[1]

A box slightly closer to this one in size is No. 457a and b[2] which, according to Zebrowski, ‘is so large it may have been used as a turban box rather than a pandan’[3]. It is possible then, that this was also used to store a turban, or was used for another purpose.

With regards to the decorations of these brass boxes, Zebrowski points out that boxes made for Muslim patrons usually only had floral decorations whilst, ‘Hindu patrons – especially those far from the Mughal and Deccani courts – preferred objects decorated with figures.’[4]Often, these would depict scenes of Krishna and gopis. Rajasthani boxes often depicted animals as well as human figures. Interestingly, thought at first look, the present example appears to be covered only in floral decoration, on closer inspection a single human figure can be found on the side of the box. Rather than in a scene, she is seen alone, next to the metal bracket of the hinge. This suggests that the box could be Pahari (from the northern Indian hills).

[1] Zebrowski, Mark. Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India. London: Alexandria Press in association with Laurence King, 1997, p. 267

[2] Ibid., p. 269

[3] Ibid., p. 272

[4] Ibid., p. 272