Painted Merchants Box From Bikaner - 19th Century Material Cardboard The scalloped mihrab arch

The scalloped mihrab arch

These were predominantly painted in Canton

silk ceremonial clothes

Ganesh is framed by scrolling foliate carvings and stylised floral motifs

Bhumisparsha means "Touching the earth" and symbolises Buddha's enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree

Painted Merchants Box From Bikaner - 19th Century Material Cardboard The scalloped mihrab archThis lovely painted antique Indian box is from the town of Bikaner and has the original metalwork. It is made from roheda wood and dates to the 19th century, and is beautifully bound in hand forged brass. Unusually its painted in a dark green tone. These boxes were used in the old days by merchants and traders in the bazaars for storing their cash and ledgers. They were also used by Indian families for the dowry of their daughters, as a trousseau.