What were these caskets used for?

These boxes served multiple domestic purposes, primarily holding jewellery, letters, sewing equipment, and small personal valuables. Wealthy households utilised them as elegant storage solutions on dressing tables and writing desks. Larger versions functioned as stationery boxes or small dowry chests for keeping significant documents and precious items secure. Their combination of utilitarian compartments and decorative exteriors made them staple furnishings in colonial homes.

How do I care for sandalwood boxes?

Keep sandalwood caskets away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity to prevent the natural timber from drying out or warping. Dust them gently with a soft, dry cloth without applying modern liquid polishes that might stain the porous wood. Allow the natural aromatic oils within the timber to persist by maintaining stable indoor temperatures. If the box has silver or ivory mounts, ensure those specific materials receive appropriate, separate cleaning care.

How can I tell the period?

Dating relies heavily on material combinations, construction methods, and stylistic markers associated with specific decades. Nineteenth-century pieces frequently display dense hand-carved sandalwood or intricate Sadeli mosaic work. Later pieces from the early twentieth century often incorporate distinct silver hallmarks or modified hardware styles. Examining the interior construction and lining materials also helps place the box within its historical era.

What is Sadeli mosaic work?

Sadeli work is an intricate form of micro-mosaic ornamentation created by binding tiny geometric slivers of bone, horn, and metal together. Craftsmen slice these bundled rods into thin sheets to veneer the surfaces of boxes. This painstaking technique produces mesmerizing, carpet-like geometric patterns across the exterior of nineteenth-century caskets. Surviving examples showcase the high level of specialised skill possessed by regional artisans.