Challenge for you, can you identify this item..

Hi All
I hope some one here can help, i found this today is a charity shop, any idea what it could be,,Thanks..

 

I would guess it has to do with egg preparation

 

Isn't that one of these spice holders?

 

I dont think so as the holder when closed are not air tight, so any spice would eventually shake out through the gaps..

 

I'm thinking spice box too at least here is one like it. Sold for $20.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/ite...ia-brass-bronze-figural-bird-hinged-spice-box

 

Try a search for "brass peacock kumkum box"...

~Cheryl

 

Thanks, i now know what it is..This is a gorgeous ornate & unusual antique either bronze or brass spice box container. Made Circa 1900 or so. Most likely in India or near there. It has a beautiful stylized bird in the middle which unscrews to release the 7 hinged leaf shaped hinged lids. Which fold back to reveal small containers for spices. Measures 2-1/2” by 2”.

 

Where did you get that date ?

 

Hi,
Having lived in "Little India" for many years. Most of these boxes were made to hold colored dyes for holidays such as Holi held the middle of March this year. They have been made for hundreds of years. I have seen them called all kinds of things but you can still buy them.
greg

 

As Greg said, similar boxes are still in production, despite sales descriptions as 'antique', most are not. The one shown on the link below is part of that company's 'Vintage' collection, their stock produced in India.

http://theindianweave.com/products/vintage-brass-peacock-ornamental-box

~Cheryl

 

Looks like 21st C. Production to me. The colored coating on outside is newish. The design avoids intricate detail apparently so casting it in brass as I suspect is the material, won't give it away by lack of detail in the finished casting. For example look at the bold shapes on the bird, that kind of stands out from typical Asian birds rendered in cast metal.

 

Greg has this one right. Often wrongly sold as spice boxes. Like the others, I believe this newer.