Nettur petti

Harking back to a bygone era, Nettur Petti is a craft that reminds one of a time when things were made to be savored. A jewel box, it was once used by women in royal and aristocratic families as well as in temples to store the ornaments of the idol. This Petti or box is named after Nettur, the village in Kerala where the craft is believed to have originated. Our master craftsman, explains, “These handmade boxes were traditionally made of rosewood and the majority continue to be made this way. However, we also use jackfruit wood, mahogany and teak wood nowadays. Brass is used for the embellishments to decorate the exterior of the boxes. Everything including the locks, handles, nails and hinges for these boxes is made by hand. our master craftsman, explains, “These handmade boxes were traditionally made of rosewood and the majority continue to be made this way. However, we also use jackfruit wood, mahogany and teak wood nowadays. Brass is used for the embellishments to decorate the exterior of the boxes. Everything including the locks, handles, nails and hinges for these boxes is made by hand.”
 

Nettur Pettis are now rated as a collector’s item. The design on the surface of the box is inspired by the temple architecture of Kerala, specifically the gopurams or the spires. They have always been seen as a symbol of prosperity.