This box of solid ebony is carved on all sides with bold flower and scrolling leaf designs which are known in Sri Lanka, Southern India and the Malay world as the floral pineapple motif. The top is carved with a central sword-fruit flower motif. Inside the box is a tray of lightly coloured wood with nine compartments, each with a lid inlaid with ebony and ivory which has been engraved with scrolling motifs and in-filled wtih black and red lac. Boxes such as these were used in Sri Lanka by ladies to store jewellery and hair ornaments. They were also produced for the colonial market.
