Archive Notes
Built like a small piece of architecture, this antique wooden chest is almost entirely faced in hand-cut mother-of-pearl. Rows of squares, diamonds, and triangular pieces give the box a remarkably graphic surface that changes whenever the light moves across it.
Two long concealed storage compartments run along the interior sides, each hidden beneath a removable wooden cover. They would have been useful for separating smaller valuables, documents, jewelry, keys, coins, or personal keepsakes from the larger central compartment. The dark interior remains visibly aged and unrestored, retaining old wear, surface deposits, abrasions, and evidence of long use. The mother-of-pearl surface shows scattered age-related wear throughout, including small losses, stable cracks, and areas of lifting.The reverse of the chest has the most noticeable shell loss, making it clear this was an object with history.
The front lock is functional and is accompanied by an antique key that operates it. The key appears appropriate to the lock.
Mother-of-pearl inlay has a long history in Middle Eastern woodworking traditions. Craftsmen used the natural contrast between dark wood and luminous shell to decorate chests, writing boxes, furniture, doors, and ceremonial objects. Lockable chests were private spaces within the home—places for valuables, letters, textiles, jewelry, and objects meant to be kept away. The concealed side compartments add another layer of privacy: a small hiding place inside an already locked container.
Details
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Origin: Likely Middle Eastern
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Date: Probably late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880-1920)
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Material: Wood, mother-of-pearl or nacre veneer, metal hinges, lock and key
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Decoration: Geometric mother-of-pearl mosaic inlay
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Features: Hinged lid, working lock, working antique key, large central storage area, two concealed side compartments with removable covers
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Dimensions: Approximately 18–19 in. wide and about 11 in. high with lid closed; open height appears approximately 17 in. Please confirm the front-to-back depth before publishing
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Condition: Substantial age-related wear throughout. Areas of missing, cracked, lifted, uneven, or discolored shell inlay; worn and dry wood surfaces; losses around the feet and edges; abrasions, old repairs, gaps, residue, and heavy wear within the interior. Hinges and lock remain operational. The interior has not been restored or refinished. Please review all photographs closely
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Key: Antique key included and functional; originality to the chest cannot be guaranteed
