Silver “makeup” box from Chennai, India

This silver object belonged to Nirmal’s paternal great grandmother probably dating back to the late 1800s. It is a “makeup” box that is beautifully decorated like a basket. The bottom part separates and reveals a mirror. Her grandmother was a frail thin woman who was bent over with age in the last few years of her life. But she had an inner strength that was unparelled which helped the family survive financial and personal troubles. For Nirmal, she will remain an affectionate memory of someone who adored everything she did as a child and young woman.