A Ceylonese carved ebony and inlaid centre table Galle District, second quarter 19th century

the circular tilt-top inlaid with a whorl of specimen veneers including an engraved ivory central medallion of an elephant and ivory bandings

In unrestored condition. The foliate engraved ivory banding to the top is slightly lifting in places and there are some losses to the geometric bandings and white metal inlay surrounding the specimen veneers. Some characteristic age cracks to the top and separation between the specimen inlaid lobe motifs to the top. There are some minor chips to the inlaid ivory border to the top. There is a section of ivory key pattern border to the edge of the top missing, approximately 14inches long. There are also losses to the ebony veneers and ivory mouldings to the top edge and frieze.The top is wobbly as the block to the top of the stem is loose and needs tightening. Minor characteristic warping to the top. Lovely original surface to the teak carcass timber to the underside of the top. Lovely original catch which is a bit rusty and consequently a bit stiff and would therefore benefit from some lubrication. Small sections of ivory beading to the frieze of top missing. Minor typical shrinkage lines to the top of the turned ebony stem. Slight looseness to the joints to the tripod `peacock' supports. Minor losses to the ivory inlaid detail to the peacock heads to the tripod base. Two peacock head with minor losses to their crests. Minor old wear and scratches consistent with age.
"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 Galle District of Ceylon was famous in the 19th Century for its specimen-wood furniture, remarked upon by a traveller in 1848 who described a tea table as a `fine specimen of the Point-de-Galle inlaid work, on which we are expended the varied beauties of Ceylon`s ninety-nine  species of cotly wood. The skilful artificers of Galle tempt the traveler with exquisite productions of their art'; in 1850, H.C. Sirr wrote that in Galle one could find `those exquisite inlaid articles, which far surpass any speciemn of Tunbridge ware that has yet been produced- ivory and various coloured native wods are inlaid upon the ebony and as the designs are well defined, the effect produced is magnificent.'; A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, 2001, p.373, fig. 142 illustrates an ebony circular table with a similar specimen-wood design top.

For further comparison see Sotheby`s New York, English Furniture, Ceramics and Decorations, October 20th & 21, 2003, lot 350, a similar table to the present lot sold for $66,000. It is interesting to note that this table also features an engraved medallion to the centre depicting an elephant suggesting that it might have been made by the same maker as the present lot.

Jaffer, op.cit. illustrates on p.376, fig. 184 a workbox from the same Galle district with a similar medallion to the cente of the lid.

For further information about furniture from this region see Regional Furniture, Volume X, 1996,  Robin Jones, Nineteenth Century Carved Ebony Furniture from Sri Lanka: Suggested Methods of Interpretation, pp. 27-41.