The Nettur Petti, a traditional wooden jewellery box from Kerala, reflects a legacy of precise craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Once a staple in aristocratic households, it has gradually faded with the rise of modern storage solutions. Today, its survival depends on a small community of artisans who continue to practise this intricate craft. As it shifts from utility to collectible, the Nettur Petti occupies a delicate space between tradition and modern relevance.
Nettur boxes or pettis also known as Amaadapetti, are traditional wooden jewellery boxes indigenous to the Nettur region in Kerala which is in the Ernakulam district. These boxes are made following extremely precise mathematical formulas and strict guidelines to emulate the shape and style of traditional Kerala homes and even temples. They had long been associated with aristocratic households, where they were used to store ornaments, heirlooms, and other valuables.
These boxes are made using mahogany, rosewood and other locally sourced woods. Once the wooden structure is assembled, the surface of the Nettur Petti is adorned with brass or copper sheets, and this is where the real artistry begins. These sheets are cut to fit the contours of the box and are engraved and embossed with intricate geometric and floral patterns. These motifs are made using chisels and hand tools to create these designs, which are indicated to be inspired by Kerala’s mural paintings by using bright colours like yellow, red, and blue.The precision required to ensure that every single aspect is carved out perfectly, is immense with very little room for error.
Today, the art of crafting a Nettur Petti continues to survive through skilled artisans who preserve its intricate making process with remarkable precision. With the widespread adoption of wardrobes, steel cupboards, and bank lockers, the Nettur Petti has gradually lost its place in everyday life. What was once an essential household object has, over time, been reduced to a relic of an olden way of living.
Among the most prominent are brothers V. V. Suresh Kumar and V. V. Ramesh Kumar, third-generation craftsmen based in Thiruvananthapuram. They inherited the craft from their father, Viswanathan Achari, an award-winning artisan who not only practised the craft but also attempted to formalise its transmission by founding a training school. Today, the brothers continue to produce Nettur Pettis by hand, out of Trivandrum. Their work is emblematic of what it means to “keep a craft alive” in contemporary India. Every element, from the wooden body to the brass fittings and even the locks, is still handmade, often taking several days to complete a single piece
Beyond individual artisans, there exists a broader network of craftspeople scattered across Kerala, particularly in regions like Thiruvananthapuram, Chakai, and parts of Ernakulam. Another important aspect of this continuity lies in adaptation. Some contemporary makers and small-scale brands like the Cultural Shoppe have begun reintroducing the Nettur Petti as a heritage object, positioning it as a collectible, a design piece, or a luxury gift rather than a utilitarian storage box.
Due to this shift from utility to artefact, the Nettur Petti occupies an in-between space, where it is no longer an essential, yet not entirely obsolete. Its future depends on whether it can be meaningfully reabsorbed into contemporary life through these artisans’ efforts, as an object that continues to hold value, both material and cultural, beyond just being an element of décor.
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