$395.00
A remarkable piece of India's culinary heritage, this handcrafted vintage coal-heated brass tiffin is a rare survivor from the mid-20th century.
Designed long before insulated lunch boxes became common, it ingeniously used a small charcoal fire at its base to keep freshly prepared meals warm while travelling to farms, workshops, and distant workplaces.
Beautifully handcrafted in brass with a rich dark patina acquired over decades, this complete set includes the original brass heating chamber, removable lid, sturdy carrying handle, and four removable food containers with their original brass carrier.
Before modern thermal flasks and insulated containers, warm food was a luxury. This tiffin solved that problem with remarkable ingenuity.
A small charcoal fire placed in the lower chamber gently radiated heat upward, keeping the stacked food containers warm for hours. Farmers working in the fields, traders, railway employees and travelling workers could enjoy a hot, home-cooked meal wherever the day took them.
Its thoughtful engineering makes it one of the most fascinating examples of traditional Indian utilitarian craftsmanship.
Every compartment carried more than food.
Fresh chapatis, rice, dal, vegetables, curries and homemade pickles were carefully packed each morning, often accompanied by a handwritten note from a loved one. These humble tiffins became symbols of family, care and the comfort of home.
The word Dabba simply means "box" or "container," while a Dabbawala is "one who carries the box." Although this coal-heated version predates modern stainless steel lunch carriers, it represents the same enduring Indian tradition of transporting freshly prepared home-cooked meals—a tradition made world-famous by Mumbai's legendary Dabbawalas.
Today, this exceptional piece serves as:
Its warm aged patina, handcrafted construction and remarkable functionality make it an unforgettable piece of Indian history.
Trademark : AUTOMA . H MARK . BOMBAY 4