Vintage Lontar & Shell Storage Box

Made by the Muslim Sasak communities in Lombok, this slightly older lontar box is made of light wood, bark and split bamboo, with the lontar, or palm leaves and cut cowrie shells added to the exterior for decoration. The dried lontar leaves are strong and flexible. First the craftspeople dye them in bold colors - browns, purples, reds and dark greens, and then they cut and glued them to the surface of the boxes in lively geometric patterns accented with stitched lines of white shells. The lid of the box is covered with a bark pattern in two tones.

The box is light and easy to move around, yet the construction is solid, almost strong enough to stand on. Traditionally, these types of boxes were used to primarily hold household items, or also for wedding clothes as the dowry of the family’s daughter. 

Approximately 13" H x 12" W x 12" L.