Featured Silver or not? Indian round box

I just bought this round box solely for the very well executed chasing of the decoration. I didn't pay a lot and I don't mind if it's brass, silver or silver plate. I have no experience with metal ware so any thoughts on any of it would be hugely welcomed. The size is 18cm wide by 7cm high

 

It is a beauty, and I remember seeing these, but can't remember when. Probably a paan (betel) box.
It doesn't look like silver, and I don't think they were made in silver, but let's wait for the others.

 

The design on the front (pot with tree and birds) reminds me of a Goa/Portuguese 18th/19th box design. Is that enamel? paint? or lac? on the design? I have tried looking it up, I only paid £15 including PP so it really was a punt. If you remember the School of Art Jaypour table I bought, that was only going by the workmanship, this has the same feel but the photos I posted aren't good enough to really zoom in like I can on ebay.

 

The listing says "white metal"

 

That is the 'Puranakumbha' motif, a symbol of prosperity and fertility. It is seen throughout the Subcontinent. I think your box is northern, maybe even Pakistani, but I could be wrong.

The dark colour is often a natural resin mixed with 'stuff'.

 

It looks like it might be a type of "bidri" -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidriware

 

It's strange you saying this is a "Purana kumbha' motif" I'm not disagreeing with you because I just don't know but it does bring up a question, I have this box and I always wondered where it came from until I found this worthpoint listing for a box too close to mine for it to be made anywhere else, they say it's from South America but mine clearly has a Purana kumbha motif on it and if that is Asian then the worthpoint must be wrong and it's not made in South America?
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/unicorn-mother-mary-antique-coca-tea-169076633

 

I think you maybe right, I did wonder why it was 3 colours but I think I've found some that are 3 colours and they are very interesting indeed.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auc.../a-bidri-brass-and-silver-inlaid-pandan-india

 

Most regions of Europe have the same motif, which is how it was introduced to South America. As always, the devil is in the detail.

 

https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/75190337-massive-vintage-messing-dose-silber-teedose-gefass-11-5x12x12cm-sehr-schwer-678-23g-indien-antik-tea-caddy-bhttps://www.roseberys.co.uk/a0428-lot-478881?el=478881&lo=&pp=96rass

 

https://www.roseberys.co.uk/a0428-lot-478881?el=478881&lo=&pp=96

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20469513...JAZSV8&hash=item2fa8c7f388:g:JAsAAOSwq41l8wvn

 

https://www.orientalartauctions.com...val-shaped-bidri-tray-india-19th-20th-century

 

https://www.ebay.com.my/itm/334604385283
https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/26219...s-flowers-kashmir-india-british-raj-1858-1947
https://www.bluecherryantiques.co.u...an-karnataka-deccan-bidri-ware-vase-code-1827
https://www.trocadero.com/stores/Bo.../19th-Century-Brass-Surahi-Kashmiri-Undertray

 

With all of these pieces that clearly have been made in the same place or by the same people I still can't find a name or term to look them up for dating or pricing. The box I bought took 12 days in the post but now it's here I'm even more impressed with it' it weighs around 1.5kg and the workmanship is very close, so much so I bought another piece, a tray

 

You've started a new collection. The tray is stunning.

 

If I could only just find out what the name of this wear is called I'm sure I'd be on to a winner, every place I've found this distinctive wear comes from they don't seem to know what it's called, it isn't bidriwear, the process seems to be chased copper, blackening and a thin tinning whereas Bidri is a white alloy that's chased and silver let in followed by blackening. I'm stumped

 

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/377246906259757856/

 

Yes, I also come across Tarkashi, Bidri and just about anything else. The supposed regions of origin all vary too.

 

When a piece is in your hand you can really appreciate the work and fine detail that goes into this wear, it's far better than the normal (and even good) brass/copper work that comes from that part of the world (I don't know what part that is lol) The heft of the pieces is also amazing, it must have cost a fortune in copper alone and seeing as I'm paying £15 for the box and £24 for the tray (just over scrap price) I can't believe these were made in the last 80 years.
It's far too good to not have a name, it must be some sort of wear but I just can't find a name I can type in and all I get is pieces like mine, it's infuriating