Title
Gold box with chain
Year/Period
19th century or earlier
Region
Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesian Archipelago
Material
Dimension
Gross measurement: H 3.1 x W 52.8 x D 5.0 cm
Accession No.
2009-03742
Collection of
This small gold box is fashioned from heavy hand-beaten gold. It is decorated with simple geometric patterns of circles and bound with wire filigree. The six-sided box was probably used to keep tobacco or perhaps shaved betel nut. It may have been worn as a pendant hung from a hand-fashioned chain.The box was possibly made by itinerant gold craftsmen who visited the archipelago seasonally. They fashioned gold dust and bullion obtained in the spice trade into jewellery, which became heirlooms and important stores of family wealth.
