Damchiya Dowry Chest From Gujarat - 19th Century

This compact Indian dowry chest is adorned with beautiful carvings, stylised horse heads and a patchwork of old paint and beautifully patinaed teak wood. The interior consists of a large open space and two drawers at the base add additional storage.

Traditionally, the bride€™s family had to offer gifts known as dowry to the bridegroom€™s 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.