A Mughal ivory-inlaid wood fall-front cabinet, Gujarat or Sindh, circa 1625-50

hardwood veneered with rosewood and inlaid with ivory, the hinged flap opening to reveal an arrangement of ten drawers inlaid with confronting birds and rams between trees, the interior of the flap featuring falconers on horseback and standing between three foliate trees with birds, dyed orange and green details, the exterior with lush trees containing flowering palmettes, birds, peacocks and a snake, with floral border, the reverse with similar design within cartouche, old collection label to underside

Acquired in London pre-1970

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Art and the East India Trade, 1971

Jaffer 2002, p.44

In fair condition, some warping and wear to wood with missing sections, particularly to left-hand side, the framing section on the upper part, and on the reverse, some wear also to ivory inlay, notably to top, with some sections missing or cracked, some associated consolidation and glue marks, marks on both sides where handles would have originally been, similar wear along all sides as consistent with age and use, the interior in good overall 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."

This cabinet and a very similar cabinet in the Victoria & Albert Museum (inv. no.122-1906) are published by Amin Jaffer in Luxury Goods from India, London, 2002, pp.44-45. Jaffer writes of this piece: "The precision of the inlay work and the stylised foliage foreshadow future developments in the decoration of furniture from this centre, which come more closely into line with fashions of the imperial Mughal court, particularly in the adoption of windswept plants of a type popularized by Shah Jahan (r.1628-58)" (ibid., pp.44-45).

A cabinet of related design from the Simon Digby Collection was sold at Christie's, 7 April 2011, lot 256.