Work box with fittings, carved sandal wood, inlaid with ivory and mosaic. Decorated in the style of Bombay. Rectangular work box of carved sandal wood, inlaid with ivory and mosaic, with purple textile on the base, inner lid and inner base. The inner container is divided into 13 compartments; five of the dividers are decorated with ivory, white metal and mosaic in green, blue and red. Six of the compartments are covered with ivory lids with either one or two larger central openings to fit the ivory containers and smaller holes at the edges as decoration (five of these six lids have broken off the container). There are also five rectangular wooden lids with a small white metal loop handle and decorated with geometric patterning in ivory, white metal and red, green and blue inlaid mosaic. There are light blue textile strips used for lifting the container from the base of the work box on the two shorter sides. Secured to the inner lid is a mirror bordered by ivory, inlaid mosaic in blue and red, and white metal.
Held in the work box are a small dark blue rectangular pin cushion in a wooden box, an ivory thimble, seven cylindrical ivory containers with lids decorated with inlaid mosaic in blue, green, red and white metal and three small cylindrical carved ivory spools
box (containers)
Continue exploring anthropology
arrow (weapons: missiles & projectors)
antimony container; lid (containers)
water carrier (carrier (food processing & storage)); lid (food processing & storage)
necklace (neck ornament (personal adornment))
Collection Information
These objects are only a part of our collections, of which there are more than 350,000 objects. This information comes from our collections database. Some of this is incomplete and there may be errors. This part of the website is also still under construction, so there may be some fields repeated or incorrectly formatted information.
The database retains language taken from historical documents to help research. Please note that some records may feature language and reflect systems of thinking that are outdated and offensive. The database also includes information on objects that are considered secret or sacred by some communities.
If you have any further information about objects in our collections, can suggest corrections to our information or if you see content requiring immediate action, please contact us: enquiry@horniman.ac.uk