A rare Indian painted gaming cabinet, Gujarat, 17th-18th century

the wood body of rectangular form, made up of three hinged sections secured by a foliate catch and lock, opening up to reveal a central section with 8 drawers flanked by two outer sections with four and five drawers, each of the drawers painted and varnished with paired palms and red and gold borders, the exterior painted with vignettes of figures engaged in courtly activities above a splayed coffered base decorated with cartouches of leopards hunting deer

Dents to surface, cracks along both the base and where the cabinet closes, some small cracks also found on the rest of the cabinet, one handle and clasp which closes cabinet are both loose, overall good condition, 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."

A similar seventeenth-century painted wood cabinet is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, (IS 142-1984) and is believed to be from Gujarat, a region that was celebrated for its production of Western-style furniture and painted furniture. Edward Terry, chaplain to Sir Thomas Roe, ambassador of James I (r.1603-25) to the court of Jahangir, observed how this technique was practised in 1616: "they paint staves, or bedsteads, chests of boxes, fruit dishes, or large chargers, extremely neatly, which when they be not inlaid, (as before) they cover the wood (first being handsomly turn'd) with a thick gum, then put their paint on, most artificially  made of liquid silver, or gold, or other lively colours, which they use; and after make it much more beautiful with a very clear varnish put upon it" (Jaffer 2002, p.25).