Featured Enamel and Inlaid Wood Boxes - Identify Please

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by KikoBlueEyes, May 9, 2021.

  1. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I bought these two boxes from the reseller's treasures, after I saw a similar box described on this site as being made of tiny pieces of inlaid wood. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the original post. If you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate help identifying these. The top of the boxes are heavily enameled with raised designs, and the sides are made of tiny bits of inlaid wood and gold paint. One of the boxes is signed. They are obviously decorative pieces.

    Box one is 5 1/4"x4"x2 1/4 inches tall. The second is 7 /2" long X 1" wide and 1 1/2 inches tall.

    I appreciate any help and comments.

    IMG_0530.jpg IMG_0532.jpg IMG_0533.jpg IMG_0535.jpg IMG_0536.jpg IMG_0537.jpg IMG_0540.JPG IMG_0539.jpg IMG_0542.JPG
     
  2. Ce BCA

    Ce BCA Well-Known Member

    Very pretty, Persian style and most commonly made in Turkey. The panels are often camel bone.
     
    elarnia and KikoBlueEyes like this.
  3. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    You are terrific. Thank you. So they carve the bone and then paint it?
     
    Ce BCA likes this.
  4. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Thanks to @Ce BCA, I found the name:
    "Khātam is an ancient Persian technique of inlaying. It is a version of marquetry where art forms are made by decorating the surface of wooden articles with delicate pieces of wood, bone and metal precisely-cut intricate geometric patterns. Khatam-kari or khatam-bandi refers to the art of crafting a khatam. Common materials used in the construction of inlaid articles are gold, silver, brass, aluminum and twisted wire.''
     
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  5. Ce BCA

    Ce BCA Well-Known Member

    Yes, carve and paint and inlay, in fact you see all sorts of decoration on this kind of item including some shibayama type work. I saw a video years ago about how they make the geometric patterns - they make them up as long canes and slice them up, quite fascinating. When I started dealing many years ago you couldn't give these items away, but they are starting to be appreciated now which is as it should be given the work that went into them.
     
  6. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    I learn something new here.......MOST DAYS!!!!!:happy::happy::happy:
     
    KikoBlueEyes likes this.
  7. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Me too. :)
     
  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Yes, the marquetry is called khatam, just like the antique boxes raver showed, but much more recent.
    The second box is a qalamdan, a pen case.
     
    KikoBlueEyes likes this.
  9. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I wouldn’t have given them a second glance except for seeing them here. I was fascinated by the thought of gluing in all those tiny pieces
    I have to leave now but I’ll look up shibayama when I come back tonight. When you said bon that made a lot of sense for the high reliefs. Thank you for these insights.
     
  10. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Ohhh. Another new word. That makes sense as it slides out and closes tightly. Thank you.
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  11. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Shibayama is Japanese though. I think Ce means reminiscent of Japanese Shibayama.:)
     
    KikoBlueEyes likes this.
  12. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    This will make it easier to learn about shibayama by knowing the source. I most appreciate this.
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  13. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I think you'll find the relief on your box very different from the delicate shibayama, which often has tiny pieces of MOP.
    For Persian MOP inlay, google Persian MOP inlay.;)

    Shibayama:
    [​IMG]
     
    KikoBlueEyes likes this.
  14. Ce BCA

    Ce BCA Well-Known Member

    Yes, Shibayama is Japanese, I was just remarking that this style of decorative effect can be found on these Turkish items, not the ones you posted specifically.
     
    KikoBlueEyes and bercrystal like this.
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