Two Anglo-Indian coromandel work boxes, Sri Lanka, Galle District, probably Matara, circa 1830-50

This lot contains ivory and other restricted materials. Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory, EU regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory from outside the EU and a registration system will be in force in the UK from 6 June 2022. Please note that Sotheby’s will not assist buyers with CITIES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby’s assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Please note that CITIES licences are required for the export of any restricted species from the UK, including EU countries. A buyer’s inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

The inner face, decorated with a hexagon composed of eighteen different types of wood and bearing a central elephant, a decoration typical of these boxes, can be compared to that of another example, now in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, inv. no.IM 2/1936; published in Jaffer 2001, p.375, no.183.