Hand crafted as a seat for riding atop an elephant, this antique Indian howdah was made with repousse copper overlaying a carved wooden carcass. It features large bas relief lions passant at each corner, flanking fish insignia; the crest of the Awadh, the Lucknow royal family; moguls of Delhi. It offers many decorative possibilities for use in the western home. Would make a nice dog or cat bed.