17th century
Town probably Goa,
India
India
Object qualities
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Object
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSilver filigree; parcel-gilt
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SizeH. 5. 1/8 in. (13 cm) W. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm) D. 3 9/16 in. (9 cm)
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Geography detailsMade in
Town probably Goa,
India -
Country today
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Date17th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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While filigree was an established tradition in the Deccan in the middle ages, with the cultural presence of the Portuguese in the 16th century, Deccani craftsmen were exposed to a new wave of objects, which were imported from Europe. Finely drawn wires of gold and silver filigree were shaped into a variety of scrolling forms, including the buta, or flame motif, which even is present on the ornamented interior of this object. The lid of this box contains a secret compartment which slides open to hide a prized object, possibly the key.