Side table - mashrabiya of mashrabiyya - Cedar - Moors side table

Very beautiful Arabic little table. This kind of tables are also sometimes called Moorish tables. A more official name is: Mashrabiya-tafeltee. The table probably comes from Morocco or Egypt; most are made there. The table is 64 cm tall and the edges of the top have a distance of about 34 cm from each other. Because the tables are handmade by skilled craftspeople, the measurements are never exactly the same. Also, for this top, for example, the inner edges are not exactly the same length.

The little table is made of cedar wood and dates from the last quarter of the 20th century.

This type of tables, often octagonal or hexagonal, are known for their Berber woodcarving and/or inlay work of bone or metal. They are often used in a "tea corner". Egyptian variants are famous for the very detailed, hand-inlaid mother-of-pearl in geometric patterns. The octagonal form is not arbitrary and has a deeper meaning in Islamic art and architecture; it symbolizes the transition between Earth and Heaven. In Islamic geometry the octagon is seen as the transition form between the square (which symbolizes earth/the tangible) and the circle (which symbolizes heaven/the divine). The eight points/corners are often associated with the eight gates or the eight levels of paradise in Islamic theology. The shape reflects a quest for harmony and balance, often used in mosaic patterns (zellige) and architecture (such as the Dome of the Rock).

In Moroccan culture the table stands as a symbol of strong family ties and hospitality, and it is the central place for sharing mint tea.

Of course, this table can be used as an occasional table, but of course it can also be used as a pedestal or as a plant table; very atmospheric!

The table is carefully packed and insured for shipping."