INDIAN OVAL BOX made of steel inlaid with gold in the koftgari technique, standing on four small flattened ball-shaped feet, with scalloped edges on the lid and foot, the sides profusely decorated with scrolling interlacing and foliage. (No key; some wear and oxidation). North India, 19th century. A GOLD KOFTGARI WORK STEEL CASKET, NORTHERN INDIA, 19TH CENTURY. HEIGHT 8,5 CM (3 3/8 IN.)- LENGTH. 16 CM (6 5/16 IN.) NOTE Koftgari is the Indian term for damascening, which is very similar to the work done in Persia and Syria. It originated in Mughal India in the 16th century to decorate weapons and sword handles. The art then became popular and spread to other Indian provinces. In the nineteenth century, the type of objects decorated with koftgari expanded considerably to include a variety of functional objects such as vases, candlesticks and decorative boxes, clearly designed to meet European colonial tastes.