Veneer Decorative Objects
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Technique: Veneer
Marvelous Design & Warm Color Burl Walnut Art Deco, Bauhaus Mantel / Desk Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and also practical in size Bauhaus style clock.
Over the years we have sold a number of striking (no pun intended) Art Deco clocks, but rarely one as timeless, as stylish,...
Category
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Chrome, Iron, Brass
Antique English Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A European antique veneered wood box with a Chevron design pattern, circa early-20th century or earlier, England. Box is rectangular with a beautiful wood veneer surface in a Chevron...
Category
Early 20th Century English Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique English Coromandel Tiered Jewellery Box George Betjemann
Located in Northampton, GB
Double Tiered Pull Out Shelves
From our Jewellery Box collection, we are delighted to offer this rare, unique Coromandel Tiered Jewellery Box by George Betjemann. The Jewellery Box ...
Category
Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian English Rosewood Jewellery Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Lined in Racing Green Velvet
From our Jewellery Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique Rosewood Jewellery Box. The Jeweller...
Category
Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Mid-19th Century Seth Thomas Ogee Shelf Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite mid-19th-century Seth Thomas Ogee shelf clock, crafted in Thomaston, Connecticut, showcases the refined craftsmanship of one of America’s most renowned clockmakers. Th...
Category
Mid-19th Century American American Empire Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Vintage Wooden Storage Box Root Wood Hazelnut Decoration
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage wooden storage box made of root wood veneer, the box has black wooden inlay and hazelnut decoration in relief, first half of the 20th century.
Decorative object made of high...
Category
Early 20th Century European Baroque Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Set of Seven Neoclassical Architettura Lacquer Eggshell Boxes
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fascinating and rare set of seven boxes featuring a lacquered eggshell veneer attributed to French artist Thierry Voeltzel. Each box is designed with Greco-Roman neoclassical archite...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Eggshell, Lacquer
Georgian Rosewood Vanity Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Howell, James & Co Sterling Silver by Thomas Whitehead
From our Vanity Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Rosewood Vanity Box. The Vanity Box of rectangular sha...
Category
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Georgian Amboyna Sewing Box
By William Dobson
Located in Northampton, GB
Veneered in Amboyna Wood
From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Amboyna Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular shape veneered in Amboyna with a circular mo...
Category
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Bone, Shell, Amboyna
Antique Victorian Coromandel and Mother of Pearl Writing Slope by Richard Wathew
By Richard Wathew
Located in Northampton, GB
Mother of Pearl Inlay
From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel and Mother of Pearl Writing Slope by Richard Wathew. The Writing Box of sl...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Shell, Wood
Antique English Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Regency Circa 1811
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular form with a squared body and rai...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell
Late 18th Century George III English Box
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 18th Century George III English Box. Veneered in beautifully highly figured burled ash with small inlaid shield shapes. Made in England circa 1790.
A beautifully crafted late 1...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Antique English Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Inlaid with floral sprays of engraved mother of pearl and brass
From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this William IV Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box. The Sewing Box ...
Category
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Antique Georgian Rosewood Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Fully Fitted Sewing Box
From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to introduce this Antique Rosewood Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular form veneered in Rosewood with ...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Boxwood
Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770
Located in valatie, NY
Chippendale tea caddy, c1770, burl veneered mahogany paneled front and sides with cross banded border raised on original ball and claw cast brass...
Category
Late 18th Century English Chippendale Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Swedish 19th Century burr birch table box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century burr birch table box circa 1880.
Good quality storage box with working lock and key. Veneered in burr birch with brass handle to the hinged lid. Top opens to ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch, Pine
Art Deco Period Box in Birds-eye Maple Box with hinged lid, French circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality Art Deco period lidded Box, of Birds-Eye Maple veneer, probably French in origin and dating to circa 1925.
The box has a rectangular shape with a fitted hinge...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Birdseye Maple
19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Clock on Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Finest quality palace size French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted mahogany clock on pedestal.
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges
A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea. When first introduced to Europe from Asia, tea was extremely expensive, and kept under lock and key. The containers used were often expensive and decorative, to fit in with the rest of a drawing-room or other reception room. Hot water was carried up from the kitchen, and the tea made...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Art Deco Style Box with Ebony Veneer, with Inlays in Bronze and Springwood
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
Large box built in spring wood with ebony veneer and geometric inlays in bronze and spring wood.
The influence for this piece came from Marion Dorn's design of the black and cream g...
Category
2010s Mexican Art Deco Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
20th C English Mahogany and Walnut Grandmother Clock with Le Rose Movement
By John Thompson
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., London, a grandmother clock in a wood case with mixed veneers, with scrolled open pediment top, hinged door opens to brass and silverplate Roman numeral dial, face marked "J...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Georgian Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique Victorian Calamander Jewellery Box Rare Mechanism
Located in Northampton, GB
Calamander Veneered Exterior
From our Jewellery Box collection, we are delighted to introduce this Unusual Antique Calamander Jewellery Box. Th...
Category
Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
20th Century German Hat Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
This charming 20th-century German hat box is a wonderful example of vintage travel and storage accessories. Crafted from sturdy and lightweight materials, the cylindrical box feature...
Category
20th Century German Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
MID-18th CENTURY TUSCAN TOWER CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant tower clock made of poplar and chestnut wood, covered in fruit wood. Made in Tuscany, the clock reflects the classic style of the mid-18th century, when the mechanisms were p...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Rare & Important 16th Century Italian Bronze Jacopo Lodovico del Duca Table Box
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent antique fall-front box with scarce Medieval period bronze lockplate and hasp attributed to Jacopo and Lodovico del Duca.
Featuring an important Lockplate and Hasp designed circa 1570, exact date of manufacture unknown, attributed to the late 16th century Roman foundry of Jacopo 1520-1604) and Ludovico (1551-1601) del Duca, with no apparent signatures or hallmarks which is typical of the era, but we did not remove it and inspect the back.
Boxes such as this hand various uses but were frequently used by merchants as a writing box - slope during travel and trade, as a small coffer - strong box for storing important documents, money and valuables, as well as a jewelry casket.
This hand-crafted European drop-front box dates to the late 19th century, signed L'PUPLET, adorned with a significantly older Italian fine quality cast bronze lockplate with intricate Renaissance era reliefs, including figures, coat-of-arms, and elongated hasp, mounted on a chest of drawers form solid wooden case, wrapped in exotic Japanesque embossed and gilded metallic paper, having a locking fall-front panel with original key included, opening to reveal three interior drawers, all lined in red velvet. circa 1875
The visually striking textured wallpaper covering the box's exterior displays bamboo, birds, and flowers in the oriental Japanesque taste popular in Europe in the 1860s and 1870s following the forced reopening of foreign trade with Japan in 1858 and the ensuing Japonisme craze.
To the interior of the fall front panel is a gilt circular stamp with the somewhat obscured name of the workshop or store (likely) "L'PUPLET" and the city "Burxelles" which is in Brussels, indicating the box was likely made or retailed there.
Marks to box:
L'PUPLET, BRUXELLES
Inscription:
13, 14, 15 (Interior drawers inscribed on the verso of their backboards in script from top to bottom, respectively)
Provenance / Acquisition:
The origin of the elaborate lockplate with hasp on the front of the piece is more intriguing. At least 76 lockplates of this design have been recorded in major museums, private collections, and in the antiques trade across the Western World. For example, lockplates of this pattern are in the collections of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the State Museum of Prussian Cultural Heritage in Berlin, the Museum Cicico in Bologna, The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Dallas Museum of Art in Texas, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Museo di Palazzo Venezia in Rome, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.[1]
Specialists in Renaissance bronzes, especially Charles Avery...
Category
16th Century Italian Japonisme Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Antique Victorian Royal Horse Racing Prize Tea Chest with Silver Tea Caddies
Located in Northampton, GB
Awarded at Fernhill 18th August 1843
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are thrilled to offer this Ebonised Tea Chest given as a Royal Prize is 1843. The Tea Chest of rectangular for...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Antique Georgian Mother of Pearl Bow Fronted Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Regency Circa 1820
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this Mother of Pearl Bow Fronted Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of beautiful bow fronted form...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell
Anglo Indian Coromandel and Silver Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Mounted with Silver
From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Solid Coromandel Anglo Indian and Silver Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of...
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Antique Victorian Writing Box by G.H. Radcliffe Multiple Secret Compartment
Located in Northampton, GB
Late 19th Century Writing Box with two Secret compartments
From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Victorian Coromandel Writing Box...
Category
Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest With Key
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A 19th Century Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest
Features Two Caddy Compartments Which Feature Domed Wooden Lids & Each Has A Circular Brass Button...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Birds Eye Maple Picture Frame. English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely birds eye maple frame
Totally original patina. A delightful colour
With the original gilt slip frame
Good condition. No chips to the veneer
The measurement given below is ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Folk Art Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Giltwood
French 19th C. Louis XVI Style Cherub Tall-Case Clock After Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th Century Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted amaranth, tulipwood, sycamore and parquetry pedestal Régulateur de Parquet Tall Case Clock, Attributed to Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley (French, 1847-1919) After the model attributed to Jean-Henri Riesener, surmounted by a cloud-form case cast with three putti cherubs suspending garlands, centred by a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, on a spreading socle with ribbon-hung garlands, above the square tapering pedestal headed...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th century Regency mahogany tea caddy
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century regency mahogany tea caddy circa 1820.
Made using flame mahogany veneers. Brass handles with star motif to the sides. Canted corners strung with satinwood. Sta...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Chippendale Tea Caddy
Located in Richmond, London
An extremely rare, highly desirable, and sought-after model mid-18th century George III Chippendale period tea caddy. Original period metalwork.
English, circa 1750.
Why we like it...
Category
Mid-18th Century European George II Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Inlaid Octagonal hardwood Box with Fitted Interior and Key, English Early 19th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautifully hand made oak Sewing Box, of octagonal form with inlaid sunburst top, fully fitted interior and having a working lock and key, all dating to circa 1840.
The bo...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Georgian Kingwood Writing Box by David Edwards with Secret Compartment
Located in Northampton, GB
Hidden Secret Compartment
From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Kingwood Writing Box attributed to David Edwards. The Writing Box constructed from M...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
18th Century Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Richmond, London
An early 18th century, George I period bombé-shaped tea caddy in dramatically figured burl walnut of a most desirable mellow, honey colour; complete with three tins inside.
British o...
Category
Early 18th Century Welsh Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Victorian Rosewood Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Dome Topped Tea Caddy
From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy. The Tea Ca...
Category
Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Marble Box with Jewish Star of David Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful modern style or Postmodern period marble and brass box with Jewish Star of David design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, 90s. Box, att...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Marble, Brass
Vanity Case with Crystal Boxes and Sterling Silver Lids by George Betjemann 1870
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful feathered walnut, brass bound, vanity box by the famous makers “Betjemann & Sons” of London. This vanity box has several compartments and the attention to detail is fabulou...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique George III Green Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Georgian Period Circa 1790
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Green Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy. The Tea...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Vintage Japanese Inlaid Marquetry Kodansu/Jewelry Chest with Tambour Doors
Located in New Orleans, LA
A fine, vintage Japanese Inlaid Marquetry Kodansu, Jewelry/miniature Chest with Tambour Doors in the Art Deco style, circa 1930.
This exquisite, handcrafted jewelry chest has intrica...
Category
1930s Japanese Art Deco Vintage Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Walnut longcase Clock Langley Bradley
Located in Folkestone, GB
An very fine quality burr walnut longcase clock from the Quenn Anne period with exceptionally well patinated case. With moulded stepped cornice above a fretwork border and silvered d...
Category
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Antique George III Oak Longcase Clock
Located in Prato, IT
England, Worcester, early 19th century
I & E Mason, Worcester
Fully functional mechanism
Veneered in oak
Dimensions: cm W47 x D22 x H205.
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
William & Mary Floral Marquetry 8-Day Longcase Clock by LeCount 'LeCompte'
Located in Milford, NH
A fine and rare William & Mary long case or grandfather clock by London maker Daniel LeCompte. c.1690, London, the fine marquetry case having oval panels of birds and flowers, the movement signed Daniel LeCount (LeCompte) having a silver chapter ring and seconds dial, brass spandrels of cupids supporting a crown; including key, weights and pendulum. LeCompte was a French Huguenot...
Category
1690s English Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Irish Coromandel Jewellery Box by Austin of Dublin
Located in Northampton, GB
Signed Thomas and George Austin Manufactures Dublin
From our Jewellery Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique Coromandel Jewellery Box by Austin of Dublin. The Jewellery Box of rectangular form veneered in exotic Coromandel and edged in brass with a circular brass vacant initial plaque to the lid framed in double stringing and matching circular brass barrel escutcheon to the front. The exterior of the Jewellery Box is finished with double brass stringing framing the front and top panel. When opened the Jewellery Box reveals an inner reversible mirror which can be removed to access document storage in the rear. The document storage is signed with a gold impressed mark for Manufactures Thomas and George Austin of Dublin. To the top of the Jewellery Box is a removable partitioned tray lined in royal blue silk water paper with cushioned velvet pads including ring and/or cufflink storage. The tray lifts out via two small brass tabs to access the larger jewellery storage below. To the rear of the tray is a push button which is signed Austin Dublin...
Category
Mid-19th Century Irish High Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Fine Large Example Of A Kingwood Oyster Veneer Coffre Fort
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A superb early 18th century kingwood oyster veneered coffre fort with fine gilt brass metal work, the fall front opens to reveal three drawers and three hidden compartments.
Lovely c...
Category
Early 18th Century European Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Rare Regency Architectural Pressed Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Pressed Tortoiseshell Design
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Regency Architectural Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of bombe form with flared bas...
Category
1810s British Regency Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell
Historic antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 18th century.
Located in Berlin, DE
Historic antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 18th century.
English grandfather clock, 18th century, mahogany veneer with b...
Category
18th Century English Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Louis XVI style long case clock.
By Charles Frodsham
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very imposing fine quality 19th Century French longcase clock, having an ormolu casting of Father Time on the hood, the white enam...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire period Inkwell, identical to the one of Elisa Bonaparte
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period gilt bronze and bird's eye maple veneer inkwell.
This model is an exact replica of the inkwell that belonged to Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino, sister...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Original Antique Belgium Spa Sewing Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Northampton, GB
Painted with Spa Scenes
From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Original Spa Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular form made from Sycamore is extensively decorated with Spa scenes to each side which include; la Sauvenière, la Géronstère, le Tonnelet, les Cascades de Coo and vue du aviny du château dimbles. When opened the box reveals a light pink lined sewing box with multiple compartments for storage and tools. The interior lid is finished with a framed panel of rauch velvet and an outer border of simulated ropework. The Sewing Box also contains four original spa spinners with painted scenes and a central lidded compartment painted with a further spa scene of la place du spa at lo fontaine du pouhon. Beneath the lid is a secret compartment which can be accessed by removing the rear panel which reveals a small handled drawer. The Spa Box...
Category
Late 18th Century Belgian George III Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Sycamore
French 19th Century Regence Style Ormolu & Kingwood Grandfather Tall Case Clock
By Charles Cressent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Regence style figural ormolu-mounted kingwood and tulipwood floral marquetry long-case regulator, after a Model by Charles Cressent (Fren...
Category
19th Century French Regency Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Victorian Brass Bound Mahogany Jewelry Box
Located in Northampton, GB
With Engraved Family Crest
From our Jewellery Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Mahogany Jewellery Watch Box. The Box of rectangular form made from Mahogany fe...
Category
Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Antique English Grandfather Clock, Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 19th century.
English floor clock, oak with thread inlay, hand painted dial...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak, Mahogany
Pair of Mid-Century Chinese Tessellated Bone Horses
Located in Palm Beach, FL
With a reference to the Tang Dynasty an impressive pair of Chinese horses, hand crafted in a tessellated technique with carved bone as a symbol ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Bone
Beautiful Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Southall, GB
A fine Regency period rectangular tea caddy, veneered in panels divided by fine metal stringing. Silver metal escutcheon and key. Complete with an initialled plaque on the lid and ro...
Category
Early 19th Century European Regency Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Ivory, Tortoise Shell
16th-Century Indo-Portuguese Colonial Mother-of-pearl Gujarat Casket
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An exceptional Indo-Portuguese colonial mother-of-pearl veneered casket with silver mounts
India, Gujarat, 2nd half of the 16th century, the silver mounts Goa or probably Lisbon
Measures: H. 16 x W. 24.6 x D. 16.1 cm
An exceptional Gujarati casket with a rectangular box and truncated pyramidal lid (with slopes on each side and a flat top) made from exotic wood, probably teak (Tectona grandis), covered with a mother-of-pearl mosaic. The tesserae, cut from the shell of the green turban sea snail (Turbo marmoratus, a marine gastropod) in the shape of fish scales, are pinned to the wooden structure with silver ball-headed nails. The casket is set on bracket feet on the corners. The masterfully engraved decoration of the silver mounts follows the most refined and erudite Mannerist repertoire of rinceaux and ferroneries dating from the mid-16th century. The high quality and refinement of the silver mounts and, likewise, the silver nails that replaced the original brass pins used to hold the mother-of-pearl tesserae in place indicate the work of a silversmith probably working in Lisbon in the second half of the 16th century.
The Indian origin of this production, namely from Cambay (Khambhat) and Surat in the present state of Gujarat in north India, is, as for the last three decades, consensual and fully demonstrated, not only by documentary and literary evidence - such as descriptions, travelogues and contemporary archival documentation - but also by the survival in situ of 16th-century wooden structures covered in mother-of-pearl tesserae. A fine example is a canopy decorating the tomb (dargah) of the Sufi saint, Sheik Salim Chisti (1478-1572) in Fatehpur Sikri in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, north India. This is an artistic production, geometric in character and Islamic in nature, where usually the mother-of-pearl tesserae form complex designs of fish scales or, similar to the dishes also made using the same technique, with the thin brass sheets and pins, stylized lotus flowers. The truncated pyramidal shape corresponds, like their contemporary tortoiseshell counterparts also made in Gujarat, to a piece of furniture used in the Indian subcontinent within the Islamic world prior to the arrival of the first Portuguese. This shape, in fact, is very old and peculiar to East-Asian caskets, chests or boxes used to contain and protect Buddhist texts, the sutras.
A similar chest is the famous and large reliquary chest from Lisbon cathedral that once contained the relics of the city's patron saint, Saint Vincent. Both match in shape, having the same kind of socle or pedestal and bracket feet, and in their engraved silver mountings, featuring the same type of refined, erudite decoration. Their differences lie in the silver borders that frame the entire length of the edges of the chest (both the box and the lid), pinned with silver nails, and on the lock plate, shaped like a coat of arms in the Lisbon example. Given the exceptional dimensions of the reliquary casket...
Category
16th Century Indian Antique Veneer Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
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