Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted Indian Folk Art Trinket Box

This is a small, rectangular decorative trinket box featuring intricate hand-carved openwork (jali) and vibrant hand-painted folk art. The lid displays a central stylized bird motif, likely a peacock or Phoenix, rendered in shades of red, green, and yellow against a dark recessed background. The borders are decorated with blue and white geometric patterns, including delicate white dot-work (pointillism style) that accents the edges and side panels. Constructed from a dark wood, likely sheesham or mango wood common in Indian crafts, the box measures approximately 3 to 4 inches in width. The sides feature secondary carvings highlighted with yellow and brown pigments. Structurally, the box shows a classic hinged lid design with a overhanging top and a slightly flared base. Regarding condition, there is visible chipping along the front edge of the lid and minor paint loss consistent with age and handling. The patina suggests a vintage origin, likely mid-to-late 20th century, originating from the Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh regions of India known for wood carving excellence. The craftsmanship is expressive and artisanal rather than precision-machine made, giving it a unique, tactile quality characteristic of traditional regional handicrafts.