Description:

AN OTTOMAN MOTHER-OF-PEARL AND TORTOISESHELL INLAID TRAY, TURKEY, 18TH CENTURY
Turkey, 18th century

Description:
A finely crafted circular wooden tray inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell in intricate interlacing geometric and arabesque designs. The surface features a large central rosette bordered by radiating stars and interlocking polygons, all meticulously composed with alternating inlay for strong visual contrast. The bold yet balanced composition exemplifies Ottoman marquetry, where geometry served as a medium of spiritual reflection as well as ornament.

This type of inlay work, popular among the Ottoman elite in the 17th and 18th centuries, was typically reserved for prestigious interior furnishings and ceremonial objects. The craftsmanship and materials reflect a high-status commission, likely from an urban workshop in Istanbul or Damascus. The tray would have served both as a functional object for offering sherbet or sweets and as a statement of refinement in courtly or aristocratic settings.

Dimensions: Diameter: 40 cm

Provenance: Private UK collection, acquired 1980s

Comparable examples:

  • A similar Ottoman mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell inlaid tray sold at Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 26 April 2021, Lot 142, for £7,500.

  • A related Ottoman circular tray with dense geometric inlay achieved £8,750 at Sotheby’s, Arts of the Islamic World, 25 October 2017, Lot 89.

  • A comparable 18th-century tray with star and polygon motifs sold at Christie’s, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 24 October 2019, Lot 131, for £6,875.

Note:
Mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell inlay was among the most prized decorative techniques in the Ottoman world, requiring exceptional precision and patience. The tray’s balanced radial symmetry and lustrous surface would have reflected candlelight beautifully, enhancing its presence in intimate courtly settings. Examples of this calibre rarely survive intact and are highly sought after by collectors of Islamic decorative arts.

 

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000