Kashmir Tinned Paan Dan Box - 19th Century Dog Gates It has developed a wonderful

It has developed a wonderful patina and would make a nice decorative piece for a kitchen

The front is composed of a patchwork of hand-carved panels

but it is equally attractive displayed simply as a sculptural architectural fragment

associated with the Hindu god Shiva

Beautifully carved by hand in the old fashion way by skilled craftsmen in small workshops in Rajasthan

Kashmir Tinned Paan Dan Box - 19th Century Dog Gates It has developed a wonderfulA late 19th century paan box from Kashmir. Rich with intricate repouss and pierced work decoration, this box is made from copper which has been tinned (a traditional local process called kalai). The kalai process is to avoid contents coming into contact with bare copper which can make food toxic. Hindus also believe that copper attracts a divine consciousness. The lid is decorated with Surya (sun) and Chandra (moon) symbolising ultimate cosmic