Late 19th Inlaid Pearl Serpentine Chest Dedicated to Prince Selim Daouk

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Spectacular and Rare Late 19th-Century "Serpentine Front" chest of drawers from Damascus, Dedicated to Prince Selim Daouk, scion of one … Read more Spectacular and Rare Late 19th-Century "Serpentine Front" chest of drawers from Damascus, Dedicated to Prince Selim Daouk, scion of one of the most influential political and mercantile families in Ottoman-era Beirut.
This imposing five-drawer cabinet is a masterwork of Levantine craftsmanship, distinguished by its elegant bombé form, intricate pictorial and calligraphic inlay, and luxurious original materials with exquisite 'Ajami (wood inlay) technique. This piece is adorned with breathtaking, hand-cut inlays of iridescent mother-of-pearl and gleaming silver set within a rich, dark walnut ground. The undulating serpentine front adds a dynamic, sculptural quality. It retains its original, beautifully aged Carrara marble top—a hallmark of high-status Syrian furniture—and its delicate porcelain knobs. Each drawer is framed with a fine silver and pewter border, highlighting the exquisite central panels.
Beyond the geometric patterns, the lower portion features a stunning pictorial inlay of overflowing flowers. Most remarkably, each drawer is inscribed with a verse from a captivating love poem dedicated to Prince Selim Daouk, a prominent aristocratic figure in 19th-century Beirut, transforming this chest into a documented piece of social and literary history.
This piece is far more than furniture; it is a narrative artifact. It combines supreme artistic skill in mother-of-pearl inlay with a unique historical provenance, poetic romance, and imposing presence. It is a cornerstone acquisition for the serious collector of Islamic art, Ottoman history, or exceptional antique cabinetry.
Dimensions: Height: 59" | Width: 48" | Depth: 23" See less