An Indo-Portuguese mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, and ivory-inlaid table cabinet, India, 17th century

inlaid with panels of tortoiseshell and plaques of mother-of-pearl with monumental cartouches surrounded by polygons and divided by narrow micro-mosaic bone and ivory borders, drop front revealing twelve drawers of various sizes with silver palmette handles, functioning key for lock

In generally good condition, replacements to tortoiseshell panels as noticeable from slightly different colour and pattern (one panel missing), some warping of tortoiseshell panels and cracks on surface, some restoration to mother-of-pearl also and few very minor sections missing, holes where missing handles on each side would have once been, interior in better condition, with some ware and replacements also, 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 very similar cabinet, with an almost identical design, sold in these rooms, 6 October 2010, lot 222. Related seventeenth-century Indo-Portuguese cabinets are in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, see Carvalho 2008, nos.4 and 9. A seventeenth-century cabinet with large panels of tortoiseshell is in the Museu Municipal de Viana do Castelo, Porto, Portugal (illus. Dias 2002, p.96).