Jewellery box (2) - Wood - Islamic art boxes
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Rare handmade pair of wooden Islamic art desk boxes from Lebanon, with one piece dating to 1980–1990 and the other to 1990–2000, measuring 30×20×12 cm and 12×8×5 cm respectively, featuring Damascus-inspired marquetry and Persian-Syrian khatamkari inlays.
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Description from the seller
Splendid and rare pair of artistic desk-top jewelry boxes, entirely handmade toward the end of the 20th century. This lot represents a fascinating journey into the excellence of Middle Eastern cabinetmaking, combining in a single offering two of the region’s most famous and refined inlay techniques: Damascus-inspired marquetry and the geometric micro-mosaic of the Persian-Syrian school (Khatamkari).
Quality artifacts are today extremely difficult to find on the collectible market.
The pair consists of two unique pieces that complement each other perfectly in size, style, and choice of materials:
The main box, imposing in size (30x20x12 cm) and with a solid weight of no less than 995 grams, is a masterpiece of wood micromechanics. The surface is entirely covered by a very dense geometric mosaic of six-pointed stars, created by precisely juxtaposing hundreds of microscopic triangles of a few millimeters. The refined color contrast is achieved by alternating light sections in genuine bone with dark sections in noble walnut and ebony, all enriched and illuminated by thin inserts of yellow-gold brass wire. The box rests on four elegant curved “L” feet, features hidden hinges, and is protected at the base by a green felt cloth, coordinated with the interior’s wide single velvet compartment. This piece is in impeccable structural and aesthetic condition.
The second box, smaller and more slender (12x8x5 cm, weighing 192 grams), offers a perfect visual counterpoint thanks to the glow of natural mother-of-pearl. Made in the pure Damascus style, its construction combines noble woods of walnut, olive, and lemon, enriched with rosewood details. The lid, characterized by an elegant domed line, hosts a splendid central eight-pointed star surrounded by diamond motifs, entirely protected by its original glossy varnish. The single-compartment interior is lined in bright red velvet, finished at the edges with a two-tone cord in white and red satin. The piece is in excellent overall condition, with the only exception of a minimal, microscopic flaw on the lateral edge (a fragment of about 0.5 cm x 2 mm) that does not detract from the lid’s beauty and attests to the object's authenticity and era.
Together, these two boxes form a display set of striking visual and historical impact, ideal for high-end interior decoration or to enrich a collection of Islamic and Middle Eastern art.
I purchased them during a trip to Lebanon at the end of the 1990s.
Professional and protected shipping.
Splendid and rare pair of artistic desk-top jewelry boxes, entirely handmade toward the end of the 20th century. This lot represents a fascinating journey into the excellence of Middle Eastern cabinetmaking, combining in a single offering two of the region’s most famous and refined inlay techniques: Damascus-inspired marquetry and the geometric micro-mosaic of the Persian-Syrian school (Khatamkari).
Quality artifacts are today extremely difficult to find on the collectible market.
The pair consists of two unique pieces that complement each other perfectly in size, style, and choice of materials:
The main box, imposing in size (30x20x12 cm) and with a solid weight of no less than 995 grams, is a masterpiece of wood micromechanics. The surface is entirely covered by a very dense geometric mosaic of six-pointed stars, created by precisely juxtaposing hundreds of microscopic triangles of a few millimeters. The refined color contrast is achieved by alternating light sections in genuine bone with dark sections in noble walnut and ebony, all enriched and illuminated by thin inserts of yellow-gold brass wire. The box rests on four elegant curved “L” feet, features hidden hinges, and is protected at the base by a green felt cloth, coordinated with the interior’s wide single velvet compartment. This piece is in impeccable structural and aesthetic condition.
The second box, smaller and more slender (12x8x5 cm, weighing 192 grams), offers a perfect visual counterpoint thanks to the glow of natural mother-of-pearl. Made in the pure Damascus style, its construction combines noble woods of walnut, olive, and lemon, enriched with rosewood details. The lid, characterized by an elegant domed line, hosts a splendid central eight-pointed star surrounded by diamond motifs, entirely protected by its original glossy varnish. The single-compartment interior is lined in bright red velvet, finished at the edges with a two-tone cord in white and red satin. The piece is in excellent overall condition, with the only exception of a minimal, microscopic flaw on the lateral edge (a fragment of about 0.5 cm x 2 mm) that does not detract from the lid’s beauty and attests to the object's authenticity and era.
Together, these two boxes form a display set of striking visual and historical impact, ideal for high-end interior decoration or to enrich a collection of Islamic and Middle Eastern art.
I purchased them during a trip to Lebanon at the end of the 1990s.
Professional and protected shipping.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Islamic art boxes
Number of objects
2
Country of origin
Lebanon
Material
Wood
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
Height
30 cm
Width
20 cm
Depth
12 cm
Estimated period
1980-1990, 1990-2000
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