Pie dish - Marqueterie draaiplateau, vijfpuntige ster en kubusmotief • België (attrib.) • ca. 1930–1940 - Wood, Glass

Each star point is cut in two tones of wood, and in the heart honey, cognac, and chestnut-brown alternate to form a cube motif. This 35-centimeter marquetry turntable features a five-pointed star in a decagonal leaf: cleanly geometric, with Art Deco and Cubist idioms. The leaf spins on a turned wooden base, and the glass plate protects the wood when cutting a cake.

Description:
Within the decagonal outline lie ten trapezoidal fields that radiate to the edge as facets. Inside is the five-pointed star, each point split into two tones of wood for a three-dimensional effect. In the center is a pentagon with cubes: three diamond-shaped facets per cube in light, middle, and dark wood give the 'tumbling blocks' effect. A thin line of inlay frames the pentagon. The wood is tentatively African hardwood, not specified; the edge consists of ten segments of reddish-brown hardwood, the back is open-pored wood, presumably oak. There is no label or mark under the base or on the top. At 2.56 kilograms, the weight fits with wood under four to five millimeters of glass.

About the maker:
Geometric marquetry, in English specimen woods, lets the color of each wood define the pattern. Similar leaves adorned trays and low tables in the first half of the twentieth century.

In the interior:
On a dining table under a warm lamp, the cognac tones of the wood emerge; with one turn, each guest gets his slice of cake.

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Condition:
Good. Leaf: no cracks, peeling wood, or missing areas observed; some light, milky spots and fine signs of wear. Edge: ten segments with no visible cracks. Glass plate: intact, facet edge without visible chips. Clamps: oxidation and rust spots. Bottom of the base: scratches from use. The turntable rotates smoothly. See the pictures.

In a glance:
Material: marquetry in multiple woods, glass, metal
Dimensions and weight: height 6 x width 35 x depth 34 cm, 2,560 grams
Brand: without factory mark; attributed by form, technique, and decoration, see Description and sources
Dating: ca. 1930–1940s
Provenance: from a private collection in Belgium

Description and sources:
Most likely Belgian, in the tradition of geometric marquetry. Grounds: the Belgian collection from which the leaf comes and the estimated African hardwood. Congolese wood was imported to Antwerp between the wars (Jaenen et al., 2016). The type has no national signature and a match with a documented specimen is lacking: the attribution rests on circumstances.

Shipping:
Professionally packed in a sturdy box with cushioning material, for fragile objects a double box. Always insured, sent with Track and Trace. More than 1,100 reviews from previous buyers; see the feedback.