Lot 434: A Mughal-style bone-inlaid wooden procession box, Northern India, late 19th/early 20th century 43x23x28cm

A rectangular wooden box entirely veneered with small bone plaques, Northern India, late 19th/early 20th century. The box is constructed with a stepped, sarcophagus-style lid and stands on four integral bracket feet. The exterior is decorated throughout with penwork or sadeli technique, featuring black lac-filled engravings depicting a royal procession. The lid panel shows a central scene of figures riding elephants with elaborate howdahs, accompanied by attendants on foot carrying banners and fly-whisks. The front, back, and sides continue the narrative with scenes of a horseman, figures carrying a palanquin (palki), and attendants holding umbrellas (chhatris) and banners. The figures are rendered in traditional Mughal-style jama and turbans, set against a background of stylized hills and scrolling foliage. The scenes are framed by decorative borders of scrolling floral vines. The corner angles of the lid are further embellished with stylized floral motifs in arch-shaped cartouches. The interior of the box is finished with a dark ebonised surface. The front is fitted with a large, rusted iron hasp and lock plate, and the lid is secured by two metal hinges at the rear.