Box, rosewood, Trivandrum, 1898-1905

This rosewood box was made in Travancore (modern-day Kerala). It has mounted plaques of koftgari work. Koftgari is the technique of inlaying pure silver or, less frequently, gold wire, into a steel ground. The designs worked on these plaques represent birds encumbered by intricate scrolling foliage. Early examples of ivory carving from the region probably inspired the decoration.

Bequeathed to V&A by Viceroy Curzon of Kedleston on his death in 1925.

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