Indo-Portuguese, late 17th century

Lionel Stopford Sackville, Esq., Drayton House, Northamptonshire;
Christie's London, 5 July 1990, lot 107;
Ashdown House, Oxfordshire;
its sale, Sotheby's London, 27 October 2010, lot 185

Overall the condition of the casket is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is minor stable splitting to the ivory and wood consistent with materials. The corner mounts in the interior of each of the drawers have survived except in four instances, where the mounts have been replaced with wood. There is rubbing on the decoration on the ivory panels throughout. Some of the panels have warped slightly and are protruding. Some of the joints have opened but are stable. There is wear to the tortoise shell with scratches and chips, with particular wear to the tortoise shell panels on the inside of the door where some of the pins have been lost. There is wear to the gilding on the drawers. There are a few small restorations, including some filled sections to the panels on the top. Some of the ivory panels may be reattached or possibly replaced, in particular the panel on the far left side of the door where glue residues are visible. The key operates the door but not the inner centre drawer (which may once have had a key). There is particular wear to the ivory lock plate on the door.
"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 charming ivory and tortoiseshell tabel cabinet is typical of the finely worked caskets and cabinets made for European export, particularly in Goa when it was under Portuguese rule in the 17th and 18th centuries. Compare with the Goanese casket sold in these rooms on 6 July 1995, lot 196; note the same stylised ivory corner plaques as seen on the front of the central door of the present cabinet. The present object is particularly rare and beautiful, because of the dominance of ivory over tortoiseshell (often this relationship is reversed).

Demand for tortoiseshell goods flourished in Europe after Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal (1507-1578) adopted it as the material of choice for her exotic diplomatic gifts. This led to a boom in the production of tortoiseshell objects particularly in Portuguese and Dutch colonies, which reached its height in the late 17th and 18th centuries.