Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Corner Detail From Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Interior OF Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Top Down View Of Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Angled View Of Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Candle Box Detai From Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Chain Detail From Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Latch Detail From Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Handle Detail From Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Back Of Antique Indian Brass Studded Rosewood Zanzibar Chest | Indigo Antiques
Now sold

Studded Shisham Zanzibar Chest - 19th Century

SKU A02107 · 19th Century, from North India
Dimensions W92 × D44 × H37 cm
Further info

Now sold

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Description

This Indian rosewood chest dates to the 19th century and can be defined as a Shisham style Zanzibar chest (according to writer Sheila Unwin). These chests were made in Gujarat & Bombay and then later decorated with brass studs. Shisham chests are made from a variety of woods - this one being rosewood (dalbergia spp.). The decoration here depicts stylised rosewater sprinklers, often seen on Zanzibar chests. 

Zanzibar chests were used as dhow trade chests for transporting spices like pepper and cloves, Indian cottons, gemstones. Diu, Surat, Basra, Zanzibar & Bombay were the main trade hubs. Plenty of misinformation surrounds Zanzibar chests, and many mistakenly believe their origins are in Zanzibar & the Arab Gulf.

The chest is decorated with brass studs and corners. It has iron lifting handles on the sides. As a trading chest, this piece has had a tough life and has had various repairs during its lifetime. It has retained its interior candle box.


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