Anglo-Indian Tortoiseshell and Pierced Bone Jewelry Casket, 19th Century

This sumptuous jewelry casket perfectly illustrates the refinement and excellence of 19th-century Anglo-Indian craftsmanship. A renowned specialty of the artisans from the Vizagapatam region (on the Coromandel Coast of India), these luxurious veneered objects were created during the Victorian era to appeal to the aristocracy and wealthy merchants of the British East India Company. Today, they represent the pinnacle of colonial decorative arts and are highly sought after by collectors. The object, featuring very elegant proportions (15.5 x 20.5 cm and 8 cm high) and resting on four charming small carved lion paw feet, reveals a striking contrast of materials. The wooden core of the casket is covered in a rich veneer of genuine tortoiseshell, whose amber and dark brown hues glow under the light. This dark background masterfully highlights an exceptional overlay of bone and ivory. The white plaques are cut and pierced into a delicate lace of floral and geometric fretwork, then meticulously secured by tiny black pins, typical of this specific production. The lid is further enhanced by a richly decorated central medallion. Offered in good antique condition for its age, this casket—over a century and a half old—shows minor expected wear and tiny losses or slight lifting, inherent to the organic nature and great fragility of tortoiseshell and bone.