Antique Indian Betel Nut Box with Buddhist/Hindu/Jain Sauwastika Pattern

This beautiful, sturdy, handcrafted wood betel nut box is decorated in a range of motifs. Floral patterns have been carved into the pedestal base, while the box itself portrays the sacred symbols of the left-facing flat sauwastika and the right-facing flat swastika (not to be mistaken for the diagonal swastika adopted by the Nazis). See Wikipedia to confirm the difference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika. Fun fact: The swastika was also an auspicious symbol in Europe until the 1930s. 
 
The sauwastica represents night in Hinduism, the swastika used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jain religions represents the sun, good luck, prosperity. In Buddhism, it also symbolizes the Buddha’s footprint and the wheel of dhamma. 
 
Based on that information, and the shape of the piece, we believe this box is originally from India, probably purchased in the 1920s or 1930s when the Burr sisters visited.
 
It does have stains from nails. There is some white splatter on one side. It has remnants of red paint. There are parts of the wood that have chipped or are missing (including one leg, but the box remains steady on a flat surface). There is also one nail sticking out a bit. The interior compartments have some possible glue residue. The whole box has a dark patina consistent with its age. See photos for more details.
 
Our mother used this as a catch-all near the front door, tossing in keys, notes, business cards, and some antique bronze bells, as you do.
 
H 9 ¼” x L 9 5/8” x D 9 ½”
4.4 lbs
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.