Y A fine Vizagapatam ivory veneered work box

Y A fine Vizagapatam ivory veneered, lac heightened and sandalwood work box, circa 1780, of rectangular form, the hinged cover and sides engraved with houses and trees within broad lotus borders, with a frieze drawer to the front and swing handles to each side, raised on bracket feet engraved with beasts; opening to a fitted interior with hinged writing surface and enclosing two conforming paperweights, 17 x 42.5 x 31cm overallThe use of architectural decorative motifs is typical of later 18th century Vizagapatam engraved works. See for example Christie's South Kensington, 1 April 2014, lot 207 (£10,000) for a similar box raised on bracket feet. Related literature: A. Jaffer, Furniture From British India and Ceylon, London, 2001, pp. 204, fig. 48