Stick Box from Jaisalmer – 19th Century

Known as stick boxes, these antique Indian boxes were passed down through the family with each generation in the Thar desert area of West Rajasthan and were used as dowry chests. These boxes usually come from the area west of Jaisalmer, towards the Pakistani border where wood is scarce. This style of box is almost exclusively made from sticks harvested from the slow growing willowy kair tree (capparis decidua), which also provides an edible bitter fruit). 

This chest dates to the 19th century and has a sliding lid over the traditional hinged lid. It would be an ideal blanket box or storage box for loved items or toys.