Nettor Box

This is one of the most beautiful wood products of Kerala. This is a nine-sided wooden chest and is used to keep jewellery. These boxes have also been used traditionally for preserving Kathakali Costumes. These are made from the jack-fruit tree and some rosewood and are normally painted or polished to perfection. Brass cut out design and hinges fitted for these boxes to use them for keeping the valuable known as 'Abharana Petti'. Mainly Rosewood is used for manufacture. The one time ‘dowry box’ of feudal Kerala comes from a principality of the same name. The name probably owes its origin to the “Nettoor Madam” in Palakkad. The box resembles the gabled roof of old houses and is highly ornamented with utmost perfection and scientific precision. These were also used as Jewel boxes and were used to store wedding accessories safely. Such personalised Jewellery boxes are made of different designs, varied patterns, with brass, bronze and silver fittings. The ethnic jewel box of the Kerala woman was once a mark of the influential families of the land. The jewel box was originally designed in the Nettur region of Malabar and is testimony of the patience and skill of the artisans who make it. The box is fully handcrafted. Every joint, every screw and lock is shaped and chiseled by the hand. The wooden box is first varnished and then fixed with brass frames.

Related Topics
Traditional Crafts   Rose Wood   Bell Metal   Coconut Shell   Screw Pine   Horn Carving   Bamboo Reed and Mat Paintings   Lace And Embroidery   Metal Inlay In Wood Laminated Wood   Joint Wood Articles Joint Wood Table Mat   Woodcrafts   Costumes and Accessories   Ivory Carving   Jewellery   Granite Carving   Other Crafts