Ottoman writing box with mother of pearl and tortoiseshell

Ottoman writing box with mother of pearl and tortoiseshell.

Turkey, 18th century.

61.5 cm wide, 30 cm high, 33 cm deep.

The top of the writing box has a decorative rectangular frame divided into three sections. In the middle, there is a stylized floral design stemming from a centre point to both sides. The side sections each have a design of single flower which has outwards spread dense leaves.

The top has an outer double border of geometric patterns, inlaid with mother of pearl and wood. The inner border surrounding the rectangular frame has a continuous abstract design.

The front of the box has two drawers with escutcheons; the upper drawer has two smaller compartments on either side. The decoration on the drawers consists of diamond shapes inlaid in wood and mother of pearl. The edges of the box have a continuous arrangement of borders in a zig-zag format. The sides of the writing box are decorated with inlaid intersecting six-sided star shapes and geometric patterns, giving an overall three-dimensional effect to the design. For a similar decorative effect, see an Ottoman writing desk in The David Collection, Accession number 19/1985.

This object incorporates old ivory and has been registered with Defra

Price on application

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance