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Item Report
Vintage Brass Duck-Shaped Betel Nut or Spice Box
By:Unknown
Style:Folk Art / Decorative Brassware
Origin:India or Southeast Asia
Materials:Brass
Age:Mid-20th century (c. 1950-1970)
Condition:Very Good (surface wear, minor tarnish consistent with age)
Value:$60 - $120 (auction liquidation estimate)
Maker's Marks / Writing:No visible maker's mark or inscription.
Date:2025-07-02 15:21:10.427822
Description:
This is a vintage brass box in the form of a stylized duck or bird, featuring incised and stamped details to represent feathers and facial features. It is hinged in the center, suggesting it was made to store items—commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cultures for betel nut, spices, or as a decorative holder. It stands on two sculpted bird feet and has a locking clasp at the front. The wear and patina are consistent with age.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a decorative brass betel nut or spice box crafted in the form of a duck, likely originating from India or nearby regions. The construction, wear, and hinge style are characteristic of mid-20th century export wares. The patina and hand-incised details suggest genuine vintage age, though such items were also widely produced for decorative purposes. Collectors appreciate these whimsical animal-form boxes for their charm and folk art quality.
Individual Images:
No additional images were provided
so assessment relies on general visible features. The latch
hinge
and incised linework are consistent with hand production. A detailed view of the underside or interior might better reveal tooling marks or assembly technique.
Provenance:
No documented provenance provided.
Condition:
Very Good (surface wear, minor tarnish consistent with age)
Identification Score: 95%
The form, construction, materials, and decoration are typical of mid-20th century South or Southeast Asian brass decorative boxes, especially those made for holding betel nut or as spice containers. The leg and hinge construction, as well as wear, support this identification.
Authenticity Score: 80%
The patina, style, and signs of hand-finishing indicate it is a genuine vintage item rather than a recent reproduction, though these boxes are commonly found and not considered rare or especially valuable. There are no overt signs of recent manufacture or artificial aging, but as examples like this were reproduced over a long period, some uncertainty exists.
Image Memory Note
Brass duck-shaped box with clasp, likely Indian or Southeast Asian, vintage folk art, mostly used as betel nut or spice container.
Keywords
brass, duck box, India, betel nut box, vintage, folk art, mid-20th century, spice box, decorative brassware
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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