Lot 168
RARE PARQUETRY, MOTHER-OF-PEARL AND BRASS INLAID OCCASIONAL TABLE, PROBABLY OTTOMAN FOR THE BRITISH MARKET
LATE 18TH CENTURY
Auction: 20 November 2019 from 10:00 GMT
Description
the dished circular top with radiating star inlay, on a spiral turned column and three cabriole legs with scrolled feet
Dimensions
77cm diameter, 71cm high
Footnote
Provenance: The estate of the late 5th Earl of Lovelace
Note: The inlay on this very British form of tripod table is highly unusual and may have been a specific commission. The use of star and crescent mother-of-pearl inlay hints at a possible Ottoman origin or involvement, perhaps Istanbul. The wire inlay is reminiscent of similar work on Ottoman firearms.
William King, 1st Earl of Lovelace, was secretary to Lord Nugent, commissioner of the Ionian Islands, prior to 1833. Whilst there, he travelled extensively, meeting Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt. He may have picked this piece up during his time in the region.