Indian Carved Panel From Kutch - 19thC Material - Zinc the niche would originally have

the niche would originally have been built into the wall beside a doorway where oil lamps or small candles were placed to illuminate the entrance and welcome guests

the chest is reinforced throughout with applied brass straps and studwork

15 x 24 cms tall approx

and figures in the classic Canton style

It is a testament to fine craftsmanship

Indian Carved Panel From Kutch - 19thC Material - Zinc the niche would originally haveThe front panel from a Dowry Chest. Traditionally the brides family had to offer gifts known as Dowry to the bridegrooms family if they were to find a good husband for their daughter. Dowry was normally Gold jewellery and Silk saris but sometimes brass cooking pots and other family treasures were exchanged. In modern times dowry is supposed to have been made an illegal practice, but in reality it is still practised and cars and even washing machines