An unusual antique quill basket originally used as work box and dating from the mid to late 19th century.
The structure of the box itself is an ebonised wood, decorated with small inlaid bone circles. It has a solid lid decorated with porcupine quills in different repeating patterns and the larger quills have been used to form the walls of the basket. The lid is hinged and has a carrying handle on the top as well as a metal latch to keep it closed. The underneath of the lid is further decorated with an elephant and has the word "Matara" below which is a city in Sri Lanka, most likely there the box was made. The floor of the basket is also decorated and the whole piece stands on four small wooden feet.
It is in good condition for its age although it has suffered a few losses over the years. There are lots of bone circles missing and some inlay under the lid also missing. On the floor of the basket there is a circle which would have probably had a motif in which is missing. However all of the quills are present and it is structurally sound and displays very well.
