Jewellery box (2) - Wood - Islamic art boxes

Splendid and rare pair of artistic tabletop jewelry boxes, entirely handmade toward the end of the 20th century. This lot represents a fascinating journey into the excellence of Middle Eastern cabinetry, combining in a single offering two of the region's most celebrated and refined inlay techniques: Damascus-inspired marquetry and Persian-Syrian school geometric micro-mosaic (Khatamkari).

Quality pieces are nowadays extremely difficult to find on the collectible market.

The pair consists of two unique pieces that complement each other magnificently 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 micromechanics of wood. The surface is entirely covered by a very dense six-pointed star geometric mosaic, created by precisely aligning hundreds of microscopic triangles of just a few millimeters. The refined chromatic contrast is obtained by alternating light sections in genuine ivory with dark ones in precious walnut and ebony, all enhanced and illuminated by slender inserts in golded brass wire. The box rests on four elegant L-shaped curved feet, features hidden hinges, and is protected at the base by a dark green felt cloth, coordinated with the interior velvet lining of the wide single compartment. This piece is preserved in impeccable structural and aesthetic condition.

The second box, smaller and more elongated (12x8x5 cm, weighing 192 grams), offers a perfect visual counterpoint thanks to the luster of natural mother-of-pearl. Made in the purest Damascus style, its structure blends noble woods of walnut, olive, and lemon, enriched with rosewood details. The lid, characterized by an elegant dome line, houses a stunning eight-pointed central 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 generally in excellent condition, with the sole exception of a tiny microscopic flaw on the side edge (a fragment of about 0.5 cm x 2 mm) that does not affect the lid’s beauty in the least and that testifies to the object’s authenticity and era.

Together, these two boxes create a display set of great visual and historical impact, ideal both for high-end interior decor and for enriching a collection of Islamic and Middle Eastern art.

I purchased them during a trip to Lebanon in the late 1990s.

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