Rosewood Dowry Box

This dowry box, also called a hope chest, is an addition to any home where daughters are preparing for a marriage in the foreseeable future. This particular piece, reflecting mid 17th century brass overlays, with a lock for security, and made of the finest rosewood might have belonged to one of the Arakkal princesses. The Arakkal dynasty, which followed a matrilineal and matriarchal system of ruling, put a lot of decision making power in the hands of the woman, and her future was essentially hers to choose. She had control over it above anyone else, and this is seen in the lock and the size of the dowry box. The lock represents her control, while the size - smaller than the traditional box - reflects and understanding that the dowry is only representative, and the real treasure is the woman herself, and the kingdom she rules. This box has now come to be a secret hiding place for the deepest desires of young women, and to store away items she’s like to use after marriage - from special clothes, to jewellery, to kumkum. Above all, it’s an empowering heirloom that tells a young girl that her destiny is her own to shape and mould. The brass overlays are magical and resplendent, and complement the dark sheen of the rosewood perfectly, while being securely riveted in place, to last generations to come.