Set of Ten Carved Mother-of-Pearl Tropical Figural Place Card Holders

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Probably Anglo-Indian or Southeast Asian, Early 20th Century

A charming and intricately carved set of ten tropical-themed place card holders, … Read more Probably Anglo-Indian or Southeast Asian, Early 20th Century

A charming and intricately carved set of ten tropical-themed place card holders, each composed of iridescent mother-of-pearl with delicate etched detailing and mounted on a warm-toned nacre oval base. The scenes include stylized figures in traditional dress bearing baskets and water vessels, animals such as oxen, and vernacular structures nestled among coconut palms and foliage, all rendered with meticulous fretwork and engraving. The figures range from approximately 2½ to 2¾ inches high and 1 to 1½ inches wide, while the oval bases each measure approximately 2 inches by 1¼ inches.

These figural place holders were likely produced for the colonial export market and reflect the 19th-century European fascination with exotic and tropical imagery. Their origin may be traced to Anglo-Indian centers of mother-of-pearl craft, such as Vizagapatam or Sri Lanka, though stylistic parallels also suggest possible workshop production in the Philippines or coastal regions of Southeast Asia. The consistent scale and refinement across the group suggest they were made as a matched set.

Each example features a thin bent wire card support, confirming their intended function for the dining table. Though utilitarian in purpose, they stand as miniature sculptures of considerable intricacy, preserving an ornamental tradition rooted in both European table customs and indigenous artisanal shellwork. Sets of this kind rarely survive intact. See less