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What language is this?

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    Posted 8 years ago

    katherines…
    (247 items)

    So this pretty little lidded box is quite clever in its design, there's a little notch in the back which ensures the pattern matches the top to the bottom whenever it is closed. Quite a bit of wear on it, my guess is not very old but oldish, like maybe late last century. Looks to me like papier mache or lacquerware? Anyone care to take a guess at which, and does anyone recognize the language on the base? Thanks for looking.

    MYSTERY SOLVED: Several peeps say this is Indian, thanks to you all for the help. :)

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    Comments

    1. Gillian, 8 years ago
      I believe the language is Indian.
    2. OneGoodFind OneGoodFind, 8 years ago
      Hi Katherine, found this article you probably already read.
      I have a Japanese papier mache box with coasters in it but it is not notched. Yours looks old. Very cool.
      https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Telugu-called-an-Ajanta-language
    3. NevadaBlades, 8 years ago
      Definitely not Japanese. Before seeing Gillian & brunswick's comments, my wife and I guessed "India". The Japanese make similar boxes, but not notched like yours, as OneGoodFind describes. Clever design. [;>)
    4. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 8 years ago
      Thanks for the love, Trey, brunswick, OneGoodFind, blunderbuss2, NevadaBlades, and fortapache. :)

      Thanks, Gillian, I thought so, but wanted to confirm with the experts here. :)

      Thomas, thank you. :)

      OGF, no had not seen that article, thanks for sharing. :)

      Thanks, NB, yes, that was my guess as well, as you may know, the Kashmir region is famous for its papier mache artisans. :)
    5. OneGoodFind OneGoodFind, 8 years ago
      Woopsie, I didn't mean to insinuate this was Japanese at all. Quite the opposite actually. It was an interesting read when I googled AJANTA.
    6. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 8 years ago
      You're good, OGF, I think we all agree that the box is Indian. :)

      Thanks again! :)
    7. OneGoodFind OneGoodFind, 8 years ago
      Thank you Katherine. If I get the opportunity or the nerve, I will ask the CFO where I work. He is 100% Indian. He's very kind but also very hard to understand. His e-mails are sometimes to interpret because of the dialect.
      I'll let you know. :)
    8. OneGoodFind OneGoodFind, 8 years ago
      Left out "hard" to interpret.
    9. racer4four racer4four, 8 years ago
      Purdy. Ready for jewels and such.
    10. antiquerose antiquerose, 8 years ago
      Beautiful Little piece with all the Bells and whistles!! Smart design !!!!! I myself, think it is papier mache. As soon as I saw it ( the thumb pic ) that is what I thought it was. Reminded me of my Papier mache piece.

      http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/146104-victorian-paper-mache-jewelry-box-or-p
    11. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 8 years ago
      Thanks for the love, Windwalker, antiquerose, mikelv85, Caperkid, Emme, aura, SEAN68, and Radegunder. :)

      OGF, that's very kind of you, if you can find out anything, that would be great. :)

      Thanks, Karen, it is a purdy little box. :)

      Thanks, Rose, yes I agree that it is papier mache. Thanks for sharing your thread! :)
    12. OneGoodFind OneGoodFind, 8 years ago
      So I tried. He said the currency was Indian and "Ajanta is a cave in western India where there are a lot of Budhist art work that that could be viewed. :) ;)
    13. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 8 years ago
      OGF, you are a doll, thank you! I will follow up on that information and see what I find. Thanks again! :)
    14. OneGoodFind OneGoodFind, 8 years ago
      LOL, you are welcome. That little bit took 4 emails and he didn't even tell me how much. He's worked here almost 30 years and it took one of his former assistants half an hour to explain tips in a restaurant. So, I knew it would be a longshot but for you...anything!! ;)
    15. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 8 years ago
      Thanks for the love, AmatoorPikr, martika, sklo42, and Lamplover8. :)

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