λ AN IVORY-INLAID HARDWOOD FURNITURE PANEL WITH BOLD NASTA'LIQ CALLIGRAPHY
Possibly Bijapur, Deccan, or Goa, Western India, 18th - 19th century

λ AN IVORY-INLAID HARDWOOD FURNITURE PANEL WITH BOLD NASTA'LIQ CALLIGRAPHY
Possibly Bijapur, Deccan, or Goa, Western India, 18th - 19th century

Of rectangular shape, possibly once used as a panel of a chest or large cabinet, with a raised centre finely inlaid with coloured woods, ebony and ivory, the marquetry decoration featuring a bold Persian nasta'liq calligraphic inscription reading A Fountain from Paradise, a popular saying in Bijapur and the Deccan area, set against an elegant vegetal scrollwork with serrated leaves and stylised flowers including lotuses, roses and carnations, the calligraphy inlaid with ebony plaques in-filled with vegetal ivory tesserae, with the date 1082 AH (1671 - 72 AD) in Persian numerals to the lower left corner the reverse plain, 50.5cm x 69.5cm.

The decorative motifs and calligraphic inscription presented on this panel are identical to a carved architectural stone relief from the Asar Mahal (Palace of Relics) in Bijapur, dating to the end of the 'Adil-Shahi dynasty, published in Stuart Cary Welch, India: Art and Culture, 1300 - 1900, 1985, cat. 206, p. 307. It is likely that this composition was rather popular at the time and was then possibly replicated across different media as a standardised design, including the original date 1082 AH.

The item within this lot containing ivory has been registered in accordance with the Ivory Act (Section 10), reference no 4M9LZZKE.

It may also require Export or CITES licences in order to leave the UK. It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that lots have the relevant licences before shipping.

(Quantity:1)

Dimensions: 50.5cm x 69.5cm