$65.00
Handcrafted by artisans from Uttar Pradesh, India, this exquisite vintage 6 compartment Kum Kum box is crafted from excellent quality brass with the Central Mythical Hamsa bird and 12 smaller Hamsas atop each of the 6 compartments and the 6 legs of the kum kum box.
Such ornate containers in the mid century were used for storing colourful herbal powders such as makeup & vermilion referring to the red pigment used by married Indian women and for "Bindis" which are large colourful dots of cloth for their forehead.
The Hamsa, a mythical bird, is a spiritual symbol representing the perfect balance in life. The word is derived from the exhalation of the Sanskrit sound 'ham' and the inhalation of 'sa' - where the creature is associated with the swan or goose.
Each of the 6 compartments can be opened by unscrewing the central Hamsa anticlockwise.
A great conversation starter!
Measures:
Height: 13 cm
Diameter: 19 cm when fully open & cm when closed.
Weight: 1.20 kgs