Early 20th Century Middle Eastern Carved Walnut Mashrabiya Settee, 1920s–1930s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An exceptional early 20th-century Middle Eastern settee, attributed to Egypt or the Levant—possibly present-day Lebanon or Syria—and dating to approximately the 1920s–1930s. A precise modern country of origin cannot be established. Its construction and ornament reflect the shared Ottoman-influenced decorative traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean, where craftsmen, materials and design vocabulary circulated between Egypt and the Levant. Handcrafted from warm-toned walnut, the settee features an impressive architectural back composed of multiple carved panels. Intricate mashrabiya openwork, turned spindle latticework, geometric fretwork, carved finials and contrasting star-form inlays create a richly layered Islamic design. The tall stepped crest rises dramatically above the central panel, while the openwork arms, carved front rails and turned feet continue the intricate decoration throughout the frame. The seat has been more recently upholstered in a textured gold-toned Moroccan...
Early 20th Century Moorish North African Settees
Walnut
