Antique Middle Eastern Marquetry Box

A refined example of traditional Middle Eastern artistry, this small slide-lid box is meticulously inlaid with geometric tessellations of bone and exotic woods. The precise symmetry and bold contrasts of ivory/white and deep ebony hues capture the essence of Damascus craftsmanship at its height. Its fitted compartment, originally intended for playing or calling cards, speaks to a bygone era of elegance and refinement.

Dimensions: Approx. 4.5” x 3.5”

Condition: Very good, with minor wear consistent with age.

Collector’s Notes

This piece embodies the celebrated tradition of Sadeli marquetry, an intricate technique in which artisans bundled and sliced rods of bone, ebony, and hardwoods to create endlessly repeating star and triangle motifs. Such works were prized souvenirs for European and American travelers during the late 19th and early 20th century, admired as much for their decorative beauty as their functionality. Today, boxes of this quality are sought after as conversation pieces in luxury interiors, whether displayed atop a desk, a stack of leather-bound books, or nestled within a cabinet of curiosities. Its diminutive scale makes it both versatile and collectable, while its handworked surface stands as a testament to a craft that required patience, precision, and an artist’s eye for balance.