Early 20th Century Miniature Abstract Oil Portrait in Damascene Inlaid Mother of Pearl Frame

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Description

A fascinating miniature oil portrait of an unidentified sitter, painted on a small wood panel and housed in an exceptionally … Read more A fascinating miniature oil portrait of an unidentified sitter, painted on a small wood panel and housed in an exceptionally ornate hand-inlaid frame, possibly early to mid 20th century; exact date unknown. The work is unsigned measures approximately 2 9/16" wide × 3 9/16" high including the frame. The painting itself is just under 1 1/2" × 2 1/5", making this a true miniature. The portrait is unsigned and depicts a figure whose face occupies most of the composition. The painting has an expressive, highly textured technique, with rich blues, greens, yellows, reds, browns and dark tones. A highly unusual miniature combining a small original oil portrait with an elaborate geometric inlaid frame. An intriguing piece for collectors of miniatures, Orientalist art, Middle Eastern decorative arts, antique frames, and unusual works of art.

The frame is particularly noteworthy. Close examination shows numerous individually cut geometric pieces forming a mosaic-like pattern. The inlay appears to incorporate mother-of-pearl/shell along with other contrasting materials, including what may be bone, colored shell and dark wood. The irregularity and variation of the individual pieces suggest that the decoration was hand assembled rather than mechanically produced. The style of the frame is reminiscent of traditional Damascene/Syrian inlaid work, although the exact country of manufacture and date have not been established. The frame should therefore be considered Damascene-style / possibly Syrian rather than definitively attributed to Syria.

The protective backing paper on the reverse shows significant wear and loss along the left edge, exposing the underlying wood frame core and residual fabric/mounting tape. The remaining backing paper shows surface cracking and age toning. Please inspect all high-resolution photos carefully to evaluate scale, paint texture, and inlay details prior to purchase. See less