λ A Mughal Indian ebony and ivory cabinet on stand

λ A Mughal Indian ebony and ivory cabinet on stand, inlaid with scrolling leaf and flower borders and with repeating patterns of flowers on a rosewood ground, with a pair of hinged doors revealing a divided interior with a pair of mahogany drawers, the sides inlaid, on a later, probably 18th century English, ebonised stand, the cabinet Gujarat or Sindh, late 17th / early 18th century but later adapted and lacking its original interior, the cabinet: 51.5cm high, 97.5cm wide, 45.3cm deep, overall: 130.7cm high, 98.8cm wide, 46.3cm deep.

This present lot with its beautiful inlay of flowers reflects the high Mughal style of setting rows of flowering plants in alternating patterns on a plain ground. This enchanting device is characteristic of the reign of Shah Jahan and can be found decorating buildings erected by the Emperor.

For a very similar example see the V&A Museum, South Asia, Room 41, case 16, which is on loan from Dr. and Mrs A. Poteliakhoff.