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India 18th century silver diameter: 12.5cm, height: 5.0cm, weight: 268g |
 Detail: alternate view This beautiful snow flake-like spice box (masaladan) or cosmetics box (chaughara) has six compartments. It sits flatly without the aid of legs, is in silver sheet that has a softened, buttery hue from age and parcel gilding. The plump gilt central lotus bud finial with its petal fringe hides a screw with a hand-cut thread which screws out clockwise (rather than anti-clockwise) in the manner of eighteenth century Indian screw mechanisms. Once out, the hinged lids of the six compartments are free to open and reveal small boxes in which spices taken after a meal to freshen one's breath or cosmetics for men such as sandalwood paste and vermilion could be stored. Each compartment is separated by a gilded serrated leaf that terminates in a bud motif, and each compartment lid is similarly decorated with the bud motif acting as a small handle with which the lid can be raised. Overall, this item is an elegant and jewel-like accoutrement of Mughal India. References: Terlinden, C., 'Mughal Silver Magnificence', Antalga, 1987. |
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