A fine and rare ivory-veneered cabinet, Sri Lanka, 17th Century

the wood body of rectangular form supported on four ivory bun feet, the exterior mounted with carved ivory panels, the front with a pair of hinged doors opening to reveal six drawers each carved in shallow relief with a flowering plant and mounted with a metal rosette loop handle, the doors, sides and top carved in deep relief with scenes of Adam and Eve with tree and snake flanked by elephants, monkeys, birds and tortoise, bordered by scrolling vine with palmettes and birds, the corners and hinges decorated with foliate engraved mounts

In overall fairly good condition, with some cracks to ivory consistent with age, loosening of some of the ivory panels, with encrustation in carved recesses and minor staining to internal left hand door, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This casket belongs to a rare group of ivory cabinets that were produced during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century in Kotte, Ceylon. They were clearly inspired by European Biblical engravings that would have been brought to Ceylon initially by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch. This particular design of Adam and Eve is also seen on a cabinet in the Victoria and Albert Museum, see Jaffer 2002, p.55 and illustrated in Veenendaal 1985 pl.28. A woodcut by Albrecht Dürer from 1504 depicts an almost identical scene and it is likely that this was the inspiration for these cabinets. Veenendaal has also suggested that the inclusion of the elephant within the composition relates closely to an etching of Matthaus Merian dating from 1630. He goes on to discuss the interest in the subject of Adam was not only in response to the spread of Catholicism but the local association with Adam's Peak which is the highest point on the island.