An Anglo-Indian ebony and rosewood ivory inlaid table writing cabinet Vizagapatam, late 18th century

the carcass of teakwood, the hinged sloping fall front enclosing a fitted inerior with various drawers and pigeon holes, two short drawers and one long drawer below, inlaid with trailing leafy tendrils, the sides and inside fall front inlaid with sprigs of flowers issuing from a vase, imperfections

Vizagapatam is situated on the south east coast of India between the Godava River and Nagapatnam, close to the large city of Madras to the South. Since the 17th century it has served as a major port, and has historically been part of the major trading route between Europe and the Far East.
 
It is obvious from the pieces which survive from the mid-18th century that the native craftsmen were strongly influenced by their European customers. Furniture from Vizagapatam was often based on either Dutch or English examples, or designs made available through contemporary furniture pattern books. Its decoration though remains purely Indian in character. The broad bands of engraved ivory depict wonderfully exotic foliage with sinuous branches. These motifs, first drawn by Indian artists, were initially used as decoration on the brightly coloured cotton goods, such as palampores, which had proved to be immensely popular in the west since the 17th century. The clear white of the ivory, ornamented with engraving enhanced by black lac, inlaid into the rich native timbers, must have proved particularly exciting to the western eye. Towards the end of the 18th century items of furniture were more commonly totally veneered with sheets of engraved ivory which reduced the overall visual impact, the engraving itself becoming less generous in its subject and more mechanical in its execution.