An Indo-Portuguese silver-mounted tortoiseshell and ivory-inlaid casket, India, 17th century

of shallow rectangular form, the wood body veneered with tortoiseshell sheets secured by metal pins and separated by narrow strips of ivory, the corners with silver openwork foliate mounts, the sides with silver drop handles, a silver escutcheon at the front chiselled and engraved with the Goan double-headed eagle, the interior

in good condition, minor areas of loss, cracking and lifting to the tortoiseshell veneer consistent with age, minor dents and patination to mounts, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The double-headed eagle on the lockplate points to a Goanese commission.  Amin Jaffer has observed that: "Tortoiseshell caskets mounted with silver appear in contemporary Portuguese documents, both in India and in Portugal.  For example, the inventory of a customs official in Diu dated 1546 included a money chest of 'tortoiseshell and silver', while the gifts presented by Cardinal-King Henry of Portugal (1512-80) to the Sultan of Morocco from 1577 to 1580 included 'a small casket in tortoiseshell, decorated in silver' and 'another flat chest in tortoiseshell... all decorated in silver'." (Jaffer 2002, p.17)