Manjus (Dowry Chest) From Banswara Tribal Region - 19thC Material - Red Coral A striking decorative statement

A striking decorative statement

while the elongated spout would originally have supported a cotton wick fuelled by ghee or oil

it is beautifully patinated

featuring stylised leaves painted against a warm terracotta-orange ground

the hybrid of chinoiserie & traditional Chinese furniture was rare

Manjus (Dowry Chest) From Banswara Tribal Region - 19thC Material - Red Coral A striking decorative statementThis teak dowry chest from Banswara is known as a Manjus. Traditionally the bride's family had to offer gifts known as Dowry to the bridegroom's family if they were to find a good husband for their daughter. Dowry was normally Gold jewellery and Silk saris but sometimes brass cooking pots and other family treasures were exchanged. In modern times dowry is supposed to have been made an illegal practice, but in reality it is still practiced and cars and