A good Ceylonese calamander and Ivory inlaid workbox 2nd quarter 19th century, Galle District

with scalloped sides, the interior profusely inlaid with ivory engraved in red and black ink and silver wire inlaid chevron decorated borders, with rear elevating section with five drawers incorporating three quarter length portraits of a king and dignitaries and the front section with two compartmentalised removable trays, each compartment lid of the lower tray inlaid with a different specimen wood

For two comparative workboxes in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London see Amin Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London, 2001, p. 374, nos. 182  and 183.

Academically interesting and a fine example in good condition. There is old shrinkage to the top which is a lovely colour. The interior is good there are some very old repairs to some of the chevron inlaid borders. The portrait panels are yellowing slightly and the central panel has some age splits.
"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."

Jaffer discusses the scalloped exterior as being a design derived from 18th century bible boxes produced under Dutch colonial patronage in Matara, a fort town in the Galle District. Parallels can also be drawn with the ripple and scalloped moldings featured on some 17th and 18th century furniture produced in the Netherlands. One of the work boxes illustrated by Jaffer (no. 103 - the example formerly in the collection of Queen Mary) features a similar ivory panel with a portrait. It has been suggested this may well be a representation of Kandyan royalty or an aristocratic family called the Mampitya Bandaras as they both wore hats with distinctive royal 'tree ornaments' known as mal-gaha a decoration reserved for their use. The central figure in the offered lot seems to be wearing a stylised British naval uniform and one wonders if it could be a representation of William IV, the figures in profile could well represent Ceylonese noblemen.