Late 19th-Century South Indian Bronze Kumkum Box With Peacock Finial

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Description

A late 19th-century bronze kumkum box from South India, featuring six petal-shaped compartments with a dramatic peacock finial that unscrews, … Read more A late 19th-century bronze kumkum box from South India, featuring six petal-shaped compartments with a dramatic peacock finial that unscrews, and once removed allows for one or more of the compartments to open. Known as a Kankavati, this ceremonial container was traditionally used to hold sacred powders such as kumkum, haldi (turmeric), and sindoor during Hindu rituals and daily puja. Rich with symbolism and patina, the piece rests on six feet and displays warm, hand-rubbed aging. Substantial in weight and beautifully balanced in form, this bronze vessel serves equally well as a ritual object, sculptural artifact, or a meaningful accent in your home decor.

Collector’s Note:
In Hindu households and temples, boxes like this one held more than just pigment—they held ritual power. The six compartments of this Kankavati are shaped in the yoni form, representing feminine energy and fertility. The peacock, India’s national bird, symbolizes beauty, wisdom, and rebirth—qualities tied to deities such as Saraswati and Kartikeya. Provenance: Acquired from Lark Mason (formerly of Sotheby's) around 2004. See less