λ A NEAR PAIR OF MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID HARDWOOD FOLDABLE CHAIRS
Ottoman Syria, late 19th - 20th century

Each of typical X-like shape, with a square seat and tall curved backrests with cusped terminals, resting on two long bracket feet, the wood deeply carved with scrolling vegetal meanders, foliage and bands of knotwork, the backrest, seat, and legs inlaid with mother-of-pearl tesserae cut in a variety of shapes and arranged as roundels and stars, at the top of each backrest a cartouche with Arabic calligraphy, the largest 105.5cm x 38.5cm x 34cm.

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Provenance: Sotheby's London, 11 February 1987, lot 129 (with purchase invoice).