This collection is distinctive and one of its kind by Bhutia artists. Bhutia is an indigenous tribe of Sikkim. The people engage in weaving the finest products as well as creating useful items from bamboo and cane.
This is a box prepared using split bamboo in its firm and clear, sturdy shape. The distinct shape at all four corners makes this particular box very distinct and stout. Split bamboo construction makes it very light as it reflects a deep bonding of the Bhutia tribe with the environment, besides using natural, sustainable materials.
The most appealing element of the box surface is the painting, which appears in green or red shades. These typically serve as indicators of specific and various symbolic meanings attached to them within the aesthetic expressions of the tribe. Variations in paint patterns or colors may exist according to intended uses, yet most of the patterns are general representations of cultural nature-spiritual issues within the tribe.
The box has a top that performs other functions such as preventing the entry of dust, moisture, etc., serving as an excellent storage space for perishable food, clothes, or other valuable possessions. For ages, the Bhutias have depended on such items made by hand to store, preserve, and protect their belongings, and the bamboo box continues to play that important role in their lives.
The Bamboo Box with a Lid signifies the antiquity of culture and the work of the artisans of the Bhutia tribe.