An authentic, late 19th-century carved wooden grain ark from the Swat Valley region of Northern Pakistan. While pieces from this region are often broadly categorised as dowry chests, this is a genuine granary piece, known locally as a Kanda. Historically serving as the most important storage item in a Himalayan home, it was designed to hold the family’s winter grain supply.
 
Its utilitarian purpose directly informed its aesthetic importance. Because it was the vessel for the family's sustenance, it was treated with immense respect and covered in intricate, symbolic chip-carving intended to bless and protect its contents. This deep gouge work relies on the play of light and shadow, featuring large solar rosettes that traditionally symbolise abundance and a good harvest. The piece is further framed by saw-tooth zig-zag borders representing mountain peaks and running water, alongside stylised vertical cypress tree motifs symbolising a strong family lineage. Adding to its architectural presence, the four corner posts are topped with pointed finials that echo the wooden minarets of traditional mountain mosques.
 
Unlike many chests on the market that have been cut down or converted with modern hinged lids, this piece retains its original structural integrity and is built using traditional pegged mortise and tenon joinery. It features a fixed top with a small square intake for pouring grain, and a circular aperture on the front panel for dispensing it. It stands on its original extended legs, a highly practical design element used to keep food supplies elevated from damp floors. Today, it serves as a striking, heavy statement piece that brings a deep sense of history and character to modern interiors.
 
Dimensions:
 
Depth: 65cm
Width: 63cm
Height: 81cm