PROBABLY GUJARAT, NORTH-WEST INDIA, EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

AN INDO-PORTUGUESE IVORY-INLAID WOODEN CHEST
PROBABLY GUJARAT, NORTH-WEST INDIA, EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form with hinged top, the top and all four sides decorated with ivory inlaid panels, each with dense overall flowering trees around a variety of human figures including groups riding on elephants, hunters, and a seated couple flanking a fruit bowl, brass handles and lock plate at front
18 x 12 x 13in. (45.8 x 31 x 33.7cm.)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

Chests of this form were made in India already at the beginning of the 17th century, as shown by a mother-of-pearl inlaid example from Gujarat in the David Collection (Kjeld von Folsach, Torben Lundbaek and Peder Mortensen (eds.), Sultan, Shah and Great Mughal, exhibition catalogue, Copenhagen, 1996, no.308, p.335). The present example however appears to have been converted to this form and was probably originally made as a fall-front chest containing drawers. A smaller fall-front chest of very similar decoration was sold at Christie's King Street, 4 April 2006, lot 204.

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