Scarce Antique Tuareg Mauritania North Africa Mixed Metal Mounted Wood Chest

A scarce fine quality antique silver-inlaid solid brass betel nut box (Lutuan), dating to the second half of the 19th / early 20th century, hand-crafted in Mindanao, Philippines. Boxes such as this were used to store the areca nut (also known as the betel nut) which would be wrapped in a betel leaf with lime paste and other ingredients, often tobacco, for chewing. Similar to the European tea caddy, these boxes often served as a way to impress while showing off ones wealth. Betel chewing was prevalent in the southern Philippines as in much of the rest of Southeast Asia. Wealthier Maranao families on Mindanao were able to afford elaborate silver-inlaid brass betel boxes such as this example. Such boxes were used to show off to guests and from which they were offered betel and the other component such as leaves and lime to make up the betel quid. Rare large size, most extant examples of such boxes tend to measure around 5 inches in length. At slightly more than 7.75 inches the example here is larger than most. The distinctive decorative box features a very heavy strong-box like rectangular shaped chest form with canted corners, copper handles, and a conforming hinged lid, lifting open to reveal an interior divided into three compartments covered by four hinged lids. Each of these doors is inlaid with silver in stylized orchid flower patterns. Exceptionally executed throughout, the arabesque silver inlaid exterior is decorated to the top with a large orchid motif within scrolling obid-obid (stylized rope) borders. The front, back and sides are inlaid with sets of stylized tail feathers of the sari-manok bird beneath which are unusual, highly stylized whimsical zoomorphic faces that appear like cat or tiger faces. (Such stylisation is accounted for by Southeast Asian Islamic preferences to avoid the overt and this potentially idolatrous representation of animal and human forms. Designs such as these are drawn from a local design repertoire that has its origins in wood carving. Although the spread of Islam in the Philippines began in the 14th century, mostly through the influence of Muslim merchants from the western Malay Archipelago, decorative arts in this design remain exceptionally rare. This lutuan represents a fine example of Islamic metalwork from the most eastern outreach of Islamic art and civilisation: Mindanao island being significantly further east than even China – artwork from Islamic Southeast Asia remains chronically under-represented in the world’s major collections of Islamic art. PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. References Brownrigg, H., Betel Cutters...

A scarce nearly 300 year old antique Parisian travel trunk / storage chest by La Forest. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Paris, France in the first half of the 18th century, during the remarkable King Louis XV period (1715-1774), fine quality craftsmanship, construction and luxurious materials, featuring a solid wood frame with patinated metal mounts wrapped in animal hide binding to top and front, dual rolled iron carry handles at sides, slatted back and sturdy plank boarded verso, having a hinged dome top, open to original plaid flannel fabric lined interior, retaining maker's label under lid, signed La Forest. circa 1725 The label reads: Aux Armes De France Rue Saint Barthelemy, au bas du Pont-au-change, vis-a-vis l'Horloge du Palais La Forest, Maitre Coffretier- Malletier ordinaire de la Maifon de Condé : Fait & vend touted Fortescue de Coffres, Malles, Valifes, Etuis de Chapeaux, Fourreaux de Piftolets, Malles de Rouffi, & autres Marchandifes concernantles Voyages, Cantins, Caves, Malles de Lits, Coffres a Vaiffelles, Paniers de Bagages, & toutes Fortescue d'Equipages d'Armees. Le tout a jufte prix A Paris Translated: Street Saint Barthelemy, at the bottom of Pont-au-change, opposite the Palace Clock...

Vintage African Tuareg Silver Outer Layer on Ebony Wood Jewelry Box. Rectangular form Islamic Tuareg Jewelry Box. Gorgeous Islamic jewelry treasure trink...

A Latched Wooden Box with Brass Overlay Decorations, 20th Century Descriptions: The ebon rectangular box decorated with overlaid Arabesque brass motifs punctuated by nailhead boss...