Syrian Inlaid Armchair circa 1880

Syrian Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid X-Frame Armchair, c.1880–1900. A highly decorative late 19th-century Syrian, probably Damascene, hardwood armchair, constructed in the traditional X-frame or folding-chair form and extensively inlaid throughout with bone geometric and floral decoration. The sweeping curved arms continue into the crossed supports beneath the seat, giving the chair its striking sculptural profile. Virtually every visible surface is ornamented with small stars, rosettes, diamonds and repeating geometric motifs, with an especially elaborate medallion to the shaped crest and densely decorated seat. This type of intricate inlay was a speciality of Syrian workshops during the late Ottoman period and was widely exported to Europe in the late 19th century.