Folding chair - Wood - folding chair with mother-of-pearl
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Selected by Annick van Itallie
Graduated in art history with over 25 years' experience in antiques and applied arts appraisal.
Estimate € 300 - € 400
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An Indian walnutwood Moorish/Islamic art folding chair dating to circa 1890–1920, with mother‑of‑pearl inlay and a functional, yet display‑oriented scissor‑fold mechanism, in good used condition with minor age-related marks and missing inlay; unfolded height about 103 cm (folded about 120 cm), seat height 47 cm, seat width about 32.5 cm (38 cm including knobs), depth about 36 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A beautiful and highly distinctive Indian folding chair, also known as a Damascus chair or Moorish folding chair, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. This type of furniture is worldwide known for its exceptional, refined craftsmanship from India and the Middle East and is a beloved item at international art and antique auctions.
The chair is fully handmade from a dark hardwood (walnut) and is richly adorned with detailed woodcarving featuring traditional, continuous leaf-shaped patterns and arabesques. The backrest and the seat are decorated with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl, forming shiny geometric flowers and six-pointed stars that are characteristic of Islamic art.
The backrest flows in an elegant ergonomic arch to the rear and is finished at the top with a richly adorned crest. Just below the crest there is a diamond-shaped cutout with fine, open Mashrabiya woodcarving. At the front of the seat slats there are also subtle, authentic markings/letters (such as "LA" and "RA"), indicating the original artisanal assembly method of the maker.
The chair features a clever hinge system with interlocking slats, allowing the piece to be folded completely flat for transport or storage.
Condition & Condition Report:
The chair is in an authentic antique condition with a beautifully aged patina that testifies to its great age. As is usual with furniture of this age and this type of inlay work, there are a few small wood imperfections and some pearl elements are missing here and there.
For full transparency to bidders, the following specific points are noted:
Hinge axis: On one side, one of the decorative wooden knobs on the central hinge axis is missing, exposing the metal screw thread pin. This causes the outer slat to have play at that spot and to slide outward (see detail photo).
Wood structure: One of the curved wooden slats shows an aging/drying crack along the grain. The wood is not broken, but has developed a fine hairline crack over the years due to drying.
The folding mechanism is functional, but due to the aforementioned points this chair should primarily be regarded as a beautiful decorative collectible/display piece and is less suitable for intensive daily use. Please view all detail photos carefully for an accurate impression of the condition; they form an integral part of the description.
Specifications & Dimensions:
Origin: India
Style: Islamic art / Moorish / Ottoman
Period: ca. 1890 - 1920
Material: Walnut wood, mother-of-pearl inlay
Overall height (open): 103 cm
Overall height (folded flat): roughly 120 cm
Seat height: roughly 47 cm
Seat width: roughly 32.5 cm (total width including knobs approx. 38 cm)
Seat depth: roughly 36 cm
Shipping: Pickup only
Seller's Story
If something moves me, I buy it. It’s that simple, really. Since 2008 I scour here and abroad, always looking for that one object with a soul. Whether it’s an ancient antique piece or modern design: if it radiates craftsmanship and character, I’m hooked. I enjoy giving these finds a new home. Take a look around, and I hope my passion for quality touches you as well.
Translated by Google TranslateA beautiful and highly distinctive Indian folding chair, also known as a Damascus chair or Moorish folding chair, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. This type of furniture is worldwide known for its exceptional, refined craftsmanship from India and the Middle East and is a beloved item at international art and antique auctions.
The chair is fully handmade from a dark hardwood (walnut) and is richly adorned with detailed woodcarving featuring traditional, continuous leaf-shaped patterns and arabesques. The backrest and the seat are decorated with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl, forming shiny geometric flowers and six-pointed stars that are characteristic of Islamic art.
The backrest flows in an elegant ergonomic arch to the rear and is finished at the top with a richly adorned crest. Just below the crest there is a diamond-shaped cutout with fine, open Mashrabiya woodcarving. At the front of the seat slats there are also subtle, authentic markings/letters (such as "LA" and "RA"), indicating the original artisanal assembly method of the maker.
The chair features a clever hinge system with interlocking slats, allowing the piece to be folded completely flat for transport or storage.
Condition & Condition Report:
The chair is in an authentic antique condition with a beautifully aged patina that testifies to its great age. As is usual with furniture of this age and this type of inlay work, there are a few small wood imperfections and some pearl elements are missing here and there.
For full transparency to bidders, the following specific points are noted:
Hinge axis: On one side, one of the decorative wooden knobs on the central hinge axis is missing, exposing the metal screw thread pin. This causes the outer slat to have play at that spot and to slide outward (see detail photo).
Wood structure: One of the curved wooden slats shows an aging/drying crack along the grain. The wood is not broken, but has developed a fine hairline crack over the years due to drying.
The folding mechanism is functional, but due to the aforementioned points this chair should primarily be regarded as a beautiful decorative collectible/display piece and is less suitable for intensive daily use. Please view all detail photos carefully for an accurate impression of the condition; they form an integral part of the description.
Specifications & Dimensions:
Origin: India
Style: Islamic art / Moorish / Ottoman
Period: ca. 1890 - 1920
Material: Walnut wood, mother-of-pearl inlay
Overall height (open): 103 cm
Overall height (folded flat): roughly 120 cm
Seat height: roughly 47 cm
Seat width: roughly 32.5 cm (total width including knobs approx. 38 cm)
Seat depth: roughly 36 cm
Shipping: Pickup only
Seller's Story
If something moves me, I buy it. It’s that simple, really. Since 2008 I scour here and abroad, always looking for that one object with a soul. Whether it’s an ancient antique piece or modern design: if it radiates craftsmanship and character, I’m hooked. I enjoy giving these finds a new home. Take a look around, and I hope my passion for quality touches you as well.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
folding chair with mother-of-pearl
Country of origin
India
Material
Wood
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
120 cm
Width
47 cm
Depth
38 cm
Estimated period
1910-1920
Seating height
47 cm
