Lot 172
172
AN OTTOMAN INLAID JEWELLER'S CHEST
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
AN OTTOMAN INLAID JEWELLER'S CHEST

TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY

Details
AN OTTOMAN INLAID JEWELLER'S CHEST
TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form with wooden sides with iron fittings and handles, the front opens outwards and the top up to reveal a lattice of mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell inlaid drawers with geometric design, each with at least one small handle, some with secret compartments behind, one with a space designed for scales and weights, minor areas of restoration
15½ x 13 3/8 x 6½in. (39.5 x 33.7 x 16.6cm.)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This is a most unusual piece of furniture. When closed, the exterior is very spartan: plain dark wood with only a small hint of the quality of the interior given by the elegant trefoil terminals of the iron fittings. It must have been deliberately made to impress when it is opened. The face of each drawer has a different inlaid design. the shallow wide upper drawer contains a compartment clearly made to contain a set of scales. Some of the drawers also have set within them a secret drawer which can only be accessed from the back of the main drawer. All these point to it having been made to be used as a travelling jeweller's work chest: lockable, portable (the side handles are obviously made for straps), and then very impressive when opened.

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