Indian Carved Panel From Kutch - 19thC Material - Zinc Originally

Originally

- Mounted on an iron stand

It's is a resin made from the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree

and figures in the classic Canton style

the chest is reinforced throughout with applied brass straps and studwork

Indian Carved Panel From Kutch - 19thC Material - Zinc OriginallyThe 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