An Ivory Inlaid Scribe's Cabinet, Spain, 16th century

of rectangular form with a lid secured on the underside by two long metal hinges with palmette terminals, the corners with metal mounts, foliate lock plate and angular metal handle to lid, the exterior inlaid with micro-mosaic panels of ivory, wood and stained ivory with diamond trellis, strap roundels and stellar motifs

cracks and splitting to lid, area of loss to lower righthand corner, minor loss to inlay, 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."

The Islamic tradition of inlaying ivory into walnut dates back to the Umayyad period and is recorded in both Spain and North Africa.  The oldest extant example is the minbar of the Kutubiye Mosque in Marrakesh, made in Córdoba in 1137 for the Almoravid ruler 'Ali bin Yusuf bin Tashufin (r.1106-42). 

Micro-mosaic work of this kind survived the Christian Reconquista and played an influential part in the decoration of Renaissance furniture in Spain and Italy, following a pattern of dissemination not dissimilar to the spread of lustre pottery.  For an example of a 15th/16th-century Veneto-Lombardic cassone inlaid in this technique, see Mario Tinti, Il Mobili Fiorentino, Milano-Roma, Tav. XIX.