Bidri ware, named for the Deccani city of Bidar, is a uniquely Indian alloy of four metals, the main component of which is zinc. An acid bath renders the base material very dark, enhancing its suitability to set off the contrasting inlay metals. This box probably served as a pandan, or container for pan, the leaf pouch filled with chopped nuts, spices and lime so favored in India for chewing. With a shape reminiscent of tombs of the Sultanate Period and decoration that is lyrically Persianate in style, this box is probably one of the oldest surviving examples of bidri ware.

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