SALE Carved 19th C. Folk Art Anglo-Indian Tika w/ Pivoting Lid

Antiques : Folk Art : Indian Carved Tika

 

Sweetpea Cottage is offering for sale this wonderful primitively carved box with a pivoting lid. We have been told that it is called a tika and is most likely from India, Nepal, or Tibet. Boxes such as this were used to hold decorative paint, or make-up. Many of these boxes were specifically used to hold the paint that was used by people of the Hindu faith for the mark that they placed on their foreheads. This information is consistent with the storage areas in the box and the residues of paint that are still highly visible.

Our internet research suggests that this box is at least 100 years old dating from the last quarter of the 19th century. We are unable to establish the wood that it is made out of, but it is dark and very dense. The body of the box is cut from a single block of wood and the insides are divided into three compartments that have been carved out of the wood. The lid is attached with a single nail on one end, designed so that the lid will swing to the side out of the way for access to the inside. On top of the lid there is a chip carved six pointed star design inset into a chip carved circle. The carved design is well executed. Overall the box is about 5 1/4 inches long, about 2 3/4 inches wide at the widest point and stands about 1 3/4 inches tall. The outside of the box is well rubbed and shows remnants of an early dark paint with some hint of ochre. The inside is filled with a bright reddish-orange pigment. The nail used to pivot the lid looks to be old but is definitely a replacement. The piece has a marvelous patina, giving it a dark coloration that can only be obtained from years of heavy usage in somebody’s hands. There are some splits, chips and cracks which are consistent with the age and use of the piece.

If you collect primitive art, then you should find this to be a fascinating item that will stand out in your collection. It would be great for holding small trinkets on your desk or a surprise gift box holding a small piece of jewelry for someone special. You can buy with confidence from Sweetpea Cottage. We stand behind everything that we sell. If you wish to return your purchase for any reason, simply notify us by email of your intentions within 3 days of receiving the item. We then ask that you return it to us in its original condition in a timely fashion. At that time we will refund the full purchase price minus any shipping charges. Shipping for this box is $10.00 which includes insurance for the full value of the item.

Item ID: AntSTB-328