Fine, Sri Lankan Silver Box Decorated with Bherunda Motifs

This splendid, fine silver box has a rectangular, pillow-like form, with rounded, scalloped ends. The lid is domed and chased in high relief with Kandyan vegetal and floral scrollwork, as well as a pair of Sinhalese double-headed bird motifs (bherunda).

The lid is hinged and fits tightly.

The base is beautifully engraved with a geometric and scrolling motifs around a central flower motif.

The box sits on four zoomorphic feet.

Such boxes were used by the Kandyan nobility and others to store small items of jewellery. Most probably they were also produced for the nineteenth century colonial market as keepsakes and to showcase the silversmith’s considerable skill.

The box has a good weight and is in excellent condition.