19th Century Moorish Carved Wood Folding Chair with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

Details

Description

A striking late 19th-century Moorish folding chair, circa 1880, handcrafted in dark wood and richly ornamented with intricate carving and … Read more A striking late 19th-century Moorish folding chair, circa 1880, handcrafted in dark wood and richly ornamented with intricate carving and delicate mother-of-pearl inlay.

The chair has the distinctive sculptural construction associated with traditional Middle Eastern folding or X-frame seating. Long, slender carved wooden members intersect beneath the seat to form the folding support, while the dramatically elongated back rises to an elaborately carved crest. Its narrow proportions and rhythmic vertical elements give the chair an architectural quality that is particularly attractive when displayed as a decorative accent.

The wooden surfaces are densely worked with hand-carved foliate, geometric and arabesque ornament, reflecting the decorative vocabulary of late Ottoman-period Small mother-of-pearl inlays punctuate the dark wood throughout the back, seat and lower framework, creating luminous points of contrast.

Especially appealing is the ornamental crest, which incorporates crescent-and-star imagery together with additional inlaid details and carved decoration. Rather than overwhelming the chair, these small shimmering elements emphasize its vertical silhouette and demonstrate the painstaking workmanship involved in its construction.

The folding construction also makes this an interesting example of furniture in which utility and ornament are inseparable. Today it works beautifully as a sculptural occasional chair or decorative collector's object, particularly in Mediterranean, Moorish, Spanish Colonial, Orientalist, eclectic or contemporary interiors where an individual antique can provide historical depth.

The chair retains an attractive aged surface and rich antique patina. There are scattered losses to the mother-of-pearl inlay and other minor imperfections consistent with its age and handmade construction. These losses are visible in the photographs and contribute to the authentic character of this approximately 140-year-old piece. I would not restore the missing inlay before listing it unless structurally necessary; sophisticated collectors often prefer this kind of original surface.

Dimensions: 41 in. H × 17 in. W × 18 in. D.

Date: circa 1880
Period: Late 19th Century
Origin: Lebanon
Materials: Carved wood, mother-of-pearl or shell inlay
Techniques: Hand-carved, hand-inlaid, handcrafted
Condition: Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and use; minor losses, including areas of missing inlay, as shown.

I would change “Place of Origin: Morocco”.” The existing listing text already identifies it as Lebanon, and the chair's form and dense carved-and-inlaid decoration are much more appropriately marketed within the/Damascene furniture tradition than as Moroccan.

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Style: Moorish / Islamic / Ottoman-period See less