Carved Malabar Chest From Kutch - Ca 1900

This beautifully carved Indian chest is known as a Malabar chest and dates to the middle of the 19th century. It is made from solid rosewood and bound with brass. These chests were used as dhow trade chests for transporting spices like pepper and cloves, Indian cotton, and gemstones. The main trade hubs were Diu, Surat, Basra, Zanzibar & Bombay.

Although a Malabar chest in name, this style of chest was likely made in Kutch in Gujarat. The carving is heavily influenced by the Portuguese style with flowing leafy tendrils and hanging breadfruit, a tree native to Malabar. The inner hinges are the traditional Zanzibar chest style. 

This is particularly bijou for a Malabar chest and would be a good coffee table as it is carved on the reverse. The interior has a fixed candle box and a sturdy chain that prevents the lid from falling completely open. Handles on each end make moving the chest easy with small turned feet. The lid is made from a single plank of rosewood. 

References:
Further information on Malabar chests can be found in The Arab Chest by Sheila Unwin, page 85 - 87. 

From India

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