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Item Report
Folk Art Brass Duck-Shaped Box
By:Unknown artisan
Style:Folk Art Metalwork
Origin:India (or nearby South Asian region)
Materials:Cast brass
Age:Circa 1930-1960
Condition:Very Good (age-appropriate surface wear and patina, working hinge, no major dents)
Value:$60–$120 (auction liquidation estimate)
Maker's Marks / Writing:None visible.
Date:2025-07-02 15:11:07.664430
Description:
This is a vintage duck-shaped container made of cast brass, likely intended as a decorative storage box or possibly for betel nut or spices. The form and incised designs suggest a utilitarian yet whimsical approach typical of folk art-metalwork from the Indian subcontinent during the early-to-mid 20th century. The simple latch at the front and the stylized, naive engraving on the wings indicate non-industrial manufacture, possibly hand-cast and hand-finished.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A fun and decorative piece of folk art metalwork, most likely from India. The craftsmanship and wear suggest genuine vintage age, but these items were produced in large numbers for local and tourist markets. Interest is strongest among collectors of quirky folk metalwork, not true antiquities. A word about fakes: While some modern reproductions exist, the overall patina and hinge wear here suggest authenticity for a mid-20th century decorative piece, rather than a much older or highly valuable antique.
Individual Images:
Detail clearly shows hinge construction
latch
and feet
which appear hand-crafted rather than machine-made. The patina is consistent across surfaces with moderate handling wear
and there is no evidence of new soldering or artificial distressing.
Provenance:
No specific provenance provided.
Condition:
Very Good (age-appropriate surface wear and patina, working hinge, no major dents)
Identification Score: 90%
The form, motifs, and hardware style are consistent with known examples from mid-20th-century Indian folk brasswork. The hinge mechanism and stylized surface engraving closely match other documented alternatives.
Authenticity Score: 70%
The piece is almost certainly authentic as a vintage (not antique) Indian/South Asian folk brassware item. There are no obvious signs of very recent manufacture or fakery, though this category is sometimes crudely reproduced for tourists. The latch and patina are consistent with real use and age from the date range given.
Image Memory Note
Folk art brass duck box with visible handmade hinge, incised design, and even patina; likely Indian mid-20th century.
Keywords
brass duck box, Indian folk art, vintage metalwork, South Asia, decorative box
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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