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Anglo-Indian Ebony, Porcupine Quill Inlaid Bone Hexagonal Elephant Motif Box

Price:$750

$1,250List Price

About the Item

Anglo-Indian Ebony, Porcupine Quill, and Inlaid Bone Hexagonal Casket with Elephant Crest, Ceylon, Mid-19th Century A rare and elaborately constructed Anglo-Indian hexagonal quillwork casket, originating from Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), mid-19th century. This exceptional example of colonial export craftsmanship is distinguished by its bold geometric architecture and richly contrasting materials, executed with refined precision and an unmistakable attention to both design and detail. The six-sided form is framed entirely in jet-black polished ebony, into which finely worked porcupine quills—carefully split, graded, and arranged—are set in alternating light and dark tones. These natural quills are vertically applied within each of the recessed panels, creating a dynamic surface rhythm that complements the angular outline of the box. The ebony borders are punctuated throughout with evenly spaced inlaid bone or ivory roundels, arranged in parallel rows and highlighting the canted corners and central facets. Each facet is chamfered and mitred with exceptional crispness, showing the hand of a highly trained workshop. A finely cast and pierced brass swing handle with foliate terminals surmounts the lid, which lifts to reveal a canvas-lined interior. The inner lid is centered by a bold circular cartouche depicting a white elephant under a red howdah, above the incised inscription “CEYLON”—a motif frequently associated with the island’s colonial identity and one that symbolized both exoticism and imperial prestige during the Victorian era. The inner walls are lined in a golden-toned hardwood, likely native satinwood, with dovetailed joinery indicative of fine craftsmanship. The box retains its original brass hinges and an inset brass escutcheon to the front. Porcupine quillwork objects of this quality were produced in limited numbers by Sinhalese artisans for the colonial and export markets during the 19th century. These caskets were highly sought after by European travelers and functioned both as symbols of imperial reach and as luxurious receptacles for tea, trinkets, or letters. The present example is particularly notable for its rare hexagonal form, untouched original surfaces, and the survival of its Ceylonese elephant crest, which serves as both a national emblem and a mark of provenance. Measures: 8.75" w x 7.5" d x 4" h.

Dimensions:
Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 8.75 in (22.23 cm)Depth: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
Style:
Anglo-Indian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Ebony
Place of Origin:
Sri Lanka
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
19th century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor wear commensurate with age and use. Lock is slightly loose and hinges have a wiggle. Displays excellent.
Seller Location:
Atlanta, GA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7838246037402

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