Mysuru: Under the ‘Exhibit of the Month’ series, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Southern Regional Centre (SRC), Mysuru, has displayed an ethnographic object ‘Abharana Petti’ (ornament box) from Kerala at Wellington House on Irwin Road.

The exhibition was inaugurated by officer in-charge, J. Vijay Mohan on June 8. The exhibition will be open for public throughout June.

Ornament boxes are often made up of precious materials such as gold, silver, ivory and wood. In ancient East Asia, ornament boxes were made in wood and in China, they are covered with silk. Some of these boxes could be collected as decorative boxes. These boxes normally consist of a base and detachable lid and are made by using a die cutting process to cut the board.

‘Abharana Petti’ is popular in Kerala and all over India. Traditionally these boxes are used for seasonal gifts. The box is made of wood having two concealed chambers. It is beautifully decorated with brass designs on the outer surface. The most common type of decorative box is the feminine work box. These boxes are ordinarily portable but at times, they form the top of stationery table. They are also known as a casket. Women normally keep personal ornaments such as rings, necklaces, brooches, earrings and bracelets and other durable ornaments.