Coffers such as the present one were used for giving the bride’s dowry to the young wedding couple.
The present Indian wedding coffer is an especially beautiful example: The facing side displays three doors, richly carved in relief. The two external doors have similar round decorations, whilst the middle door has angular ones. With an old iron padlock with key.
Female figures carved out from the same piece stand left and right, carrying oil lamps in their hands. The two women symbolise the Hindu goddess ‘Deepa Lakshmi’, the goddess of beauty, good fortune, fertility and welfare. Both women stand on stylised horse heads.
The coffer features an embossed metal décor band on its upper front side. The bell-shaped wooden pendants hanging under it are movable.
The richly decorated facing side of this wedding coffer shows remains of a silver mount (metal colour?). Both lateral sides and the back are smooth and undecorated. The coffer originally had longer legs (broken and lost). The standing blocks are a later supplement and can be easily removed. Small age-related cracks and flaws. Overall an extraordinary, elaborately manufactured piece of furniture, in good condition.
19th century; dimensions: H: 73 cm; L: 130 cm; Depth: 60 cm. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.