An Anglo-Indian miniature inlaid ivory, horn and sandlewood cabinet on chest Probably Bombay Presidency, 19th century

the scrolled foliate-engraved cornice above a pair of cupboard doors flanked by columns opening to a shelved interior, the lower section fitted with a pair of short drawers above three long drawers, raised on ball feet.

Overall good condition; the cornice with some restorations to the ivory with some inpainting mainly to corners; the top of the lower section with two battens - the bottom of the upper section has been cut into to accommodate the battens in order to keep it from falling; top long drawer with replaced ivory handles; back edges of the lower section with losses to ivory stringing to back edge; overall with old marks, nicks and scratches. Bottom right ivory handle off by present in a bag. The first long drawer with to replaced ivory handles.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present miniature cabinet on chest is very similar to a group of micromosaic or sadeli boxes made in Bombay during the second half of the 19th century.  Amin Jaffer describes the sadeli technique as consisting of 'binding together sections of geometrically shaped rods (gul) of about two feet in length composed of thin, uniformly shaped strips of diverse materials such as tin, horn, ivory, green-stained ivory, sappan wood and ebony arranged in symmetrical geometric patterns. These rods are slided through transversely and formed into thin sheets of repeating patterns that are laid over and glued to the carcass.' (Jaffer, op. cit. p. 313)

The present cabinet with its stained green ivory and horn is very similar to a workbox in the V&A, brought to England in 1813. (Jaffer, op. cit. p. 316 no. 128)

The present cabinet on chest was most probably made somewhere in the Bombay Presidency, which included the cities of Bombay, Surat, Ahmedabad and Bilimora in Baroda.  However, by the second half the 19th century, these type of boxes were being made in Calcutta and being exported to the west as well.  By the beginning of the 19th century, 'Bombay' boxes were found in the collections of Queen Charlotte and William Beckford as well as Lord Clive. (Jaffer, op. cit. p. 313)

See:

Amin Jaffer, Furniture From British India and Ceylon, London, 2001