{"product_id":"painted-malabar-betel-nut-box","title":"Antique Kerala Nettoor Petti (Malabar Wedding Box), India, 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eHandcrafted in Kerala during the 19th century, this striking \u003cstrong\u003eNettoor Petti\u003c\/strong\u003e, also known as a \u003cstrong\u003eMalabar Box\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a fine example of traditional South Indian craftsmanship. Carved from jackfruit wood and richly decorated with hand-painted geometric and scrolling motifs, the box is enhanced by elaborate hand-forged iron mounts and locking hardware. Its distinctive pitched-roof form echoes the architecture of traditional Kerala houses, symbolising the bride's future home and making these boxes an important part of wedding and dowry traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNamed after the village of Nettoor in Kerala where the craft is believed to have originated, these highly decorative boxes were owned by affluent families and used for storing jewellery, precious textiles, documents, betel nut, and dowry items. The vibrant painted surface, combined with the sculptural iron fittings, creates a striking decorative object that remains one of the most recognisable forms of Keralan folk art. The interior retains its original compartment, designed to separate and protect valuable contents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExamples of Nettoor Pettis can be found in museum collections and are illustrated in \u003cem\u003eArts \u0026amp; Crafts of India\u003c\/em\u003e by Ilay Cooper and John Gillow (Figure 39, p.52), highlighting their importance within the decorative arts traditions of Kerala.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kerala, South 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 Jackfruit Wood, Iron Fittings, Pigmented Decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditional Nettoor Petti (Malabar Box) Form, Hand-Painted Decoration, Hand-Forged Iron Mounts, Original Internal Compartment, Working Lock Plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good antique condition with age-related wear, surface rubbing and patination consistent with age and use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e W36 x D25 x H24 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53550810366261,"sku":"M1092","price":643.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/Antique_Kerala_Nettoor_Petti_Malabar_Wedding_Box_With_Hand_Painted_Decoration_And_Forged_Iron_Mounts_Circa_19th_Century_M1092.jpg?v=1789231864","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/painted-malabar-betel-nut-box","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}