Islamic Tray Tables

Oriental Vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut spider leg round coffee table with a Moroccan bronze scalloped design tray. The base folds up for easy stor...

Monumental Mughal Brass and Copper Calligraphy Tray Table, India, circa 1920 A monumental early-20th-century Indian brass and copper tray table, attributed to Rajasthan and dating to approximately 1920. Impressive in both scale and craftsmanship, this extraordinary low table combines a richly worked antique metal tray with a newly custom-made iron base, creating a functional coffee table with the presence of a significant work of Islamic decorative art. The expansive rectangular tray is handcrafted in copper and embellished with applied brass decoration. Its recessed central field is densely worked with Arabic-script calligraphy, scrolling arabesques, geometric borders and finely chased ornamental bands. The calligraphic decoration is organized in the Indo-Persian and Mamluk Revival tradition, reflecting the historic exchange of artistic vocabulary between Mughal India, Persia, Ottoman workshops and the Islamic metalworking centers of Cairo and Damascus. A broad raised border surrounds the central field, articulated with a rhythmic sequence of rounded repoussé bosses. Large sculptural handles extend from both ends of the tray, giving the piece an imposing overall width of 66.5 inches. The aged copper and brass surfaces retain a warm, softly burnished patina with oxidation, rubbing and tonal variation that reveal the tray’s age and handcrafted construction. The elaborate metalwork has been described historically as Qur’anic or Koranic calligraphy. However, because the inscriptions have not been independently translated, they are identified conservatively here as Arabic-script calligraphic decoration, possibly devotional in nature. This more precise description preserves the table’s important Islamic artistic character without making an unverified claim about the specific text. The antique tray rests on a newly fabricated blackened iron base designed specifically to accommodate its substantial proportions. The restrained linear construction of the stand provides stable support while allowing the highly detailed metal surface and sculptural handles to remain the visual focus. At approximately 17.25 inches high, the completed piece functions beautifully as a monumental cocktail table, low coffee table or central salon table. Its generous 57-by-33-inch tray surface offers ample room for entertaining, books or decorative objects, although the intricate calligraphy and metalwork are striking enough to be displayed with minimal styling. The removable tray may also be appreciated separately as an oversized example of Indian Islamic metalwork. This antique Mughal-style tray table would be an exceptional focal point in a Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean, Moorish, Islamic, British Colonial, Indo-Persian, maximalist or sophisticated contemporary interior. It is especially well suited to a large living room, library, collector’s salon, hotel lobby or luxury hospitality setting where its monumental scale can be fully appreciated. Dimensions: Overall with handles and custom base: 66.5 in. W × 33 in. D × 17.25 in. H Tray without handles: 57 in. W × 33 in. D × 2 in. H Each handle: approximately 11 in. × 6 in. Origin: Attributed to Rajasthan, India Date: Circa 1920 Period: Early 20th century Style: Mughal Revival, Indo-Persian, Islamic and Mamluk Revival Materials: Copper, brass and iron Techniques: Handcrafted, chased, engraved, repoussé and applied metal decoration Creator: Unknown Base: Newly custom-made blackened iron base Condition: Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. The copper and brass retain oxidation, rubbing, surface variation and an aged patina. The iron base is a later custom addition. SEO keywords and attributes: monumental Mughal tray...

Antique Hand Tooled Oversized Moroccan Metal Copper Tray 31 in. D. Circa 1920's. Antique hand tooled heavy huge collectible Moroccan metal copper tra...

Large Middle Eastern Brass Tray Table on Carved Hardwood Folding Stand A fine and generously sized early to mid twentieth century brass tray table The heavy circular brass tray is ...

This exceptionally beautiful and rare silver-inlaid brass tray stand dates from the medieval period, when the Mamluks ruled Egypt and Syria (1250-1517). The Mamluks originated as slave-soldiers, who served the Muslim caliphs and Ottoman Empire. With time, the Mamluks became a powerful military caste, and they managed to take control and establish themselves as rulers of certain areas within the Abbasid caliphate. The Mamluk dynasty commissioned great works of art and architecture, particularly in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, which was described in the 14th Century as ‘the centre of the universe and garden of the world’ (Ibn Khaldun, 1382). This tray stand is of biconical form, with a raised central band and flared base and rim. It is decorated with scrolling vines, overlaid with Thuluth inscriptions and roundels. On the lower body, the roundels contain floral motifs, and in the upper, stylised depictions of birds. The Thuluth inscriptions praise the patron, referring to him as ‘The High authority, the Lordly, the Possessor’, and ‘the learned’. The underside of the rim is engraved with a heraldic medallion, possibly the patron’s symbol. In the middle ages, when this piece was made, this item would have stood in a grand interior, supporting a tray full of fruit and fine food. The owner of this lavish piece which still bears traces of its original silver inlay would likely have been an Amir (prince) or some other important figure who was close to the Sultan in the Mamluk court. Mamluk tray...

Large metal copper tray overlaid with Islamic Coranic Calligraphy. Antique oversized Islamic Mughal Style Rectangular Copper Metal Tray. Large Moorish Mughal Raj rectangular brass an...

Antique Mamluk Revival Brass and Silver Inlaid Tray Table Egyptian or Syrian, early 20th century Height: 45cm, width 82cm, depth 51cm This handsome tray-top table is a fine example ...