Description
RARE NASRID BOX. Wood marquetry, stained wood, ivory and green stained ivory. This beautiful box with its rich decoration of stars is characteristic of the marquetry or taracea productions of Nasrid Spain. The exterior decoration is composed of eight-pointed radiating stars in micro-mosaic, framed by friezes of chequered diamonds. The corners, decorated with friezes of staggered rhombuses, are also typical of the production of this period. The lid is topped by a patinated bronze handle, probably original (it has the same texture and patina as the inner hinges of the box). The inside of the box is decorated with a large eight-pointed star, set with a smaller star in its center. The bronze hinges with a beautiful green patina are openwork in their upper part in the form of foliated palmettes. The interior of the box is organized in compartments. It was probably used as a writing case. Spain, 15th century. Restorations. H_41,1 cm W_21,6 cm D_14,9 cm For a detailed study of this type of inlaid and ivory objects (including a very similar box kept in the Museo Arqueologico Nacional de Madrid, Inv. N° 1972.105.2) see : Galindo A.G. (2005), Marfiles medievales del Islam (Catalogo de piezas), Tomo II, Cordoba: Publicaciones Obra Social y Cultural Cajasur, p. 473, n° 91007. Provenance: Christie's London, 2010.
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RARE NASRID BOX. Wood marquetry, stained wood, ivory and green stained ivory. This beautiful box with its rich decoration of stars is characteristic of the marquetry or taracea productions of Nasrid Spain. The exterior decoration is composed of eight-pointed radiating stars in micro-mosaic, framed by friezes of chequered diamonds. The corners, decorated with friezes of staggered rhombuses, are also typical of the production of this period. The lid is topped by a patinated bronze handle, probably original (it has the same texture and patina as the inner hinges of the box). The inside of the box is decorated with a large eight-pointed star, set with a smaller star in its center. The bronze hinges with a beautiful green patina are openwork in their upper part in the form of foliated palmettes. The interior of the box is organized in compartments. It was probably used as a writing case. Spain, 15th century. Restorations. H_41,1 cm W_21,6 cm D_14,9 cm For a detailed study of this type of inlaid and ivory objects (including a very similar box kept in the Museo Arqueologico Nacional de Madrid, Inv. N° 1972.105.2) see : Galindo A.G. (2005), Marfiles medievales del Islam (Catalogo de piezas), Tomo II, Cordoba: Publicaciones Obra Social y Cultural Cajasur, p. 473, n° 91007. Provenance: Christie's London, 2010.
