Dutch Colonial Ebony Bible Box 18th Century
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:16057781 | Style: Dutch/ Flemish |
| Material: Ebony |
Dutch colonial bible boxes are quite rare. This example, which is in very fine condition, follows the conventional form of being thicker at the front than at the back to emulate a leather-bound book, and having a hinged lid. The box measures 28cm by 20 cm by 9cm.It is fashioned from calamander / ebony wood, a rare and particularly hard wood related to ebony, which is native to India, Sri Lanka and Eastern Indonesia.The top is beautifully carved with scrolls and grooves. The ?spine? of ...the box is dragooned which is repeated on top lid. The sides and front are gently crenulated or scallopedBible boxes were used to hold a small personal bible. The wives of Dutch officials would walk in public in the Dutch settlements of south India, Sri Lanka and the East Indies followed by slaves or servants who held aloft umbrellas, carried betel boxes and perhaps a spittoon. Sometimes such a procession included a servant or slave who carried a bible box such as the example here.This example is in exceptional condition. One hinge is loose and there is no key also there is an old crack to the back of the box and a hairline crack to the front across the dragoon carving otherwise fine.Oversea bidders pleas ask for amn individual shipping amount.Thanks for looking
