Description

An early antique Indian teak wood storage chest of lovely patination and proportions dating from c1780, with remnants of the original paint. Antique chests and boxes from India come in an extraordinary variety of styles reflecting the many cultures that influenced the land over centuries. Our genuine antique Indian chests offer a stylish alternative to your home storage needs. Normally constructed from teak, rosewood or jackfruit wood, Indian chests & trunks were used for storing and transporting valuables such as textiles, jewellery & money (sandook in Hindi) that might be used as dowry for marriages. They were then always made to be sturdy & solid with strong locks and metal binding work. Every chest tells a loving story and each and every piece can now be used as blanket boxes, storage boxes, coffee or side tables. This is a fine early original teak wood example from the late 18th century, making it around 250 years old, with original iron metalwork supporting on raised bun feet with hinged lid and fine punched pattern work. It would have almost certainly been a Dowry Chest given its proportions. It is an old piece made by hand many years ago, with a beautiful patina which really shows its age and history, and there are some historic repairs and age related marks and wear and tear as you would expect for an item of this age. Please be sure to check all photos as these form part of the description.