Chest

Art Historical Context

This magnificent 18th-century chest, crafted from wood and adorned with shimmering mother-of-pearllays and intricate carvings, exemplifies the exquisite furniture traditions of Islamic art. Measuring an impressive 35½ inches high, 59 inches wide, and 21⅝ inches deep, it would have served as a prized storage vessel—perhaps for textiles, dowries, or valuables—in a wealthy household. The use of mother-of-pear, a luminous shell material, was a hallmark of luxury craftsmanship in the Islamic world, artisans skillfully cut and inlaid it into wood to create geometric patterns and floral motifs that c...