British Colonial Cedarwood Scent Box
Early 20th centurySGD 1,650
A fine example of an early 20th century Anglo-Indian scent box, is profusely clad with intricate, pierced and carved fretwork panels depicting scrolling floral and vine motifs. All elegantly reserved against a contrasting deep velvet-lined ground.
The hinged cover features a stepped, sarcophagus-shaped lid, centered with a reserve displaying a delicate penwork (lac-filled) monogram of a double fish emblem, surrounded by dense foliage borders. The exterior corners and edges are structurally reinforced and adorned with traditional metal-pinned ivory bandings. The box is raised on four meticulously carved ivory lion-paw feet. The interior opens to reveal a compartmentalized vanity section designed to house crystal scent bottles.
The Coromandel Coast(Vizagpatam), as a key British East India Company port since the 17th century, became renowned for luxury crafts. Local artisans masterfully adapted Western cabinet forms to showcase their exquisite, indigenous ivory-carving techniques, creating an “Anglo-Indian” aesthetic highly prized by European elites. The double fish emblem or Māhī Marātib—often translated as the “Fish of Dignity” or “Order of the Fish”—was a prestigious Mughal court honour. It signified that its recipient enjoyed exceptional rank, military distinction, and the personal favour of the emperor. On this Anglo Indian box, the fish are best understood as a decorative, courtly adaptation of that later Awadhi emblem. In other words, the Awadh/Lucknow paired-fish motif was derived from the Māhī Marātib meaning good fortune, prosperity, elevated status, and an admiration for the courtly visual culture of Lucknow/Awadh region.
The box is in good condition and has been lovingly restored and finished to its former glory using a traditional form of French polishing and waxing.
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Vizagapatam
British colonial India
H: 9cm W: 13.5cm D: 10 cm
H: 3 ½” W: 5 ” D: 4”
