A katamkari micro-mosaic table cabinet, Sind, Pakistan, 17th century

of rectangular form on turned feet, with a hinged drop front revealing six drawers each with brass palmette handles, the top inlaid with tortoiseshell, ivory, gilded and micro-mosaic polygonal plaques, the sides, front and drawers inlaid with micro-mosaic panels with stellar and geometric motifs

minor chip top lefthand corner of top drawer, small areas of loss to inlay, hinges replaced with associated areas of infilling to inlay, losses to extremities with associated repair, as viewed Please note there is no tortoiseshell in this lot and the drawer handles are bone and not brass as stated in catalogue entry
"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 table cabinet is a fine example of the marquetry decoration (known in India as sadeli and in Persia as katamkari) associated with a group of cabinets manufactured in Sind and Gujarat.  They occur from the mid-sixteenth century following the introduction of the micromosaic technique to Sind from Shiraz, a notable Persian centre of production (Jaffer 2001, p.313).