{"product_id":"indian-soapstone-box-mother-of-pearl-inlay-rajasthan-1970s","title":"Indian Soapstone Box | Mother of Pearl \u0026 Stone Inlay | Rajasthan | c.1970s","description":"\u003cp\u003eSomeone in Rajasthan sat down with a piece of soapstone, a set of tiny chisels, and an extraordinary amount of patience, and made this. The result is a beautiful oval keepsake box in hand-carved grey-green soapstone (\u003cem\u003esteatiet\u003c\/em\u003e), decorated in the \u003cem\u003epietra dura\u003c\/em\u003e tradition: flowers inlaid in mother of pearl petals, black stone stems and leaves, and a burst of orange and purple semi-precious stone for the colourful bloom on the left. The lid sits perfectly on the base, which is carved through on all sides in a delicate Moorish lattice pattern — interlocking trefoils and hexagons, all cut by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoapstone carving has been a Rajasthani craft tradition for centuries. This piece is a fine example of the tourist-quality export work produced in the 1970s — which, despite the label, was often genuinely skilled and beautiful. This one certainly is.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: Rajasthan, India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: hand-carved soapstone with mother of pearl and semi-precious stone inlay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStyle: pietra dura floral inlay, Moorish lattice sides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod: c.1970s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 3 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 235 grams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: vintage, consistent with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNING:\u003c\/strong\u003e Place this on your bedside table and you will immediately feel the need to fill it with something worthy — rings, secrets, or at minimum a very good piece of chocolate. Maison de L'oro accepts no responsibility for any subsequent obsession with Rajasthani craftsmanship or the urge to redecorate your entire bedroom in jewel tones.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison de L'oro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53281941913943,"sku":null,"price":12.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/4388\/5911\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_722bbaac-f385-445e-b287-f6fdb8346e8f.jpg?v=1775856032","url":"https:\/\/maisondeloro.com\/products\/indian-soapstone-box-mother-of-pearl-inlay-rajasthan-1970s","provider":"Maison de L'oro ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}