{"product_id":"antique-gujarati-majus-dowry-chest","title":"Painted Majus Dowry Chest From Saurashtra - 19th Century","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautifully carved and \u003cstrong\u003eantique Indian dowry chest\u003c\/strong\u003e is a really special example of a \u003cstrong\u003eMajus (also spelled Majju or Manjush) chest\u003c\/strong\u003e, a traditional form associated with the \u003cstrong\u003eKanbi (now Patidar) community\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eSaurashtra, Gujarat\u003c\/strong\u003e. Dating to the \u003cstrong\u003e19th century\u003c\/strong\u003e, these dowry chests were used to transport a bride’s possessions to her new home — such as \u003cstrong\u003ejewellery, silk saris, and brass cooking pots\u003c\/strong\u003e — and were later used to store food or household valuables. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis chest is exquisitely detailed, its front panels decorated with \u003cstrong\u003ebold tree of life motifs\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003evibrant tones of red, yellow, turquoise, and silver\u003c\/strong\u003e, typical of Gujarati folk artistry. The piece is framed by \u003cstrong\u003ebeautifully carved horse-head finials\u003c\/strong\u003e on three corners — one now missing, likely lost over time — a distinctive regional symbol of protection and vitality. The sides are chip carved, unusual for majus chests. Crafted from \u003cstrong\u003esolid teak wood\u003c\/strong\u003e, it retains a \u003cstrong\u003ewonderful surface patina\u003c\/strong\u003e, with traces of its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal paint\u003c\/strong\u003e that have mellowed gracefully over generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComparable examples can be found in \u003cem\u003e“Folk Art \u0026amp; Culture of Gujarat: A Guide to the Collection of the Shreyas Folk Museum of Gujarat”\u003c\/em\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eJyotindra Jain\u003c\/strong\u003e, highlighting the cultural significance of this rare form of Gujarati craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saurashtra, Gujarat, India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19th Century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid teak wood with remnants of original paint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carved floral panels, painted decoration, horse-head finials, one corner finial missing, rich aged patina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Naturally aged surface with weathering, losses, and wear consistent with age and use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e W128 x D68 x H110 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFolk Art \u0026amp; Culture of Gujarat\u003c\/em\u003e by Jyotindra Jain, Shreyas Folk Museum of Gujarat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53551533588789,"sku":"A03603","price":2658.56,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/A03603Lifestyle-Square.jpg?v=1789233626","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/antique-gujarati-majus-dowry-chest","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}