Materials:
Silver plated copper
Gold plated copper
Lapis lazuli
Coral
Turquoise
Ruby

Dimensions & Weight:
Diameter: 9.2 inches
Height: 6 inches
Weight: 2.2 kilograms

Shipping Origin: Kathmandu, Nepal

Description:
Master Nepali craftsman created this exquisite jewelry box, inlaid with lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and rubies. The exterior has intricate silver- and gold-plated copper filigree work. The interior is lined in red velvet. Similar jewelry boxes are recorded as having been designed for the Royal family of Nepal.

The central rosette is figured with four brass vajras, four ruby cabochons, and a central lapis lazuli cabochon. The vajra represents means, compassion, and the destruction of ignorance. Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond, and it is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).
Above the closure clasp is the face of a garuda-child called Chhepu. Folklore tells of his origin. He was one among the three brothers, Garuda, Chhepu and Hitimanga. Their mother had requested her husband to help her produce a son who would be the bravest, most truthful, and endowed with all superior marks. Her husband told her to wait for a certain period. She being too impatient to wait for a long period, looked in the nest to see whether he was born or not. She found Chhepu in a premature condition, only with his head formed.

It is also told that Chhepu disappeared from the world as he did not want to see the Kaliyuga, the great yuga, when evil would completely triumph over good and the world would be destroyed by Vishnu in his incarnation as Kalki, the destroyer.
Knowing his bravery, truthfulness and endowment with all superior marks, Manjushree wanted to see him and requested Chhepu to show his full form. Chhepu appeared slowly amidst the cloud. Manjushree, as a veteran artist, immediately drew his form with his foot secretly without the knowledge of Chhepu. When Manjushree had only finished drawing his head, Chhepu came to know Manjushree’s deception and immediately disappeared. Due to his bravery, truthfulness and superior marks, he was given the pride of place at the top of the main entrance of stupas as a protection from all the dangers.

The detail and master craftsmanship of this unique inlaid jewelry box is absolutely unique.