A Ceylonese carved and inlaid ebony, hardwood and ivory center table Galle District, second quarter 19th century

Overall good restored condition; the top with some inpainting and infilling between the veneers with some restorations and wih a glossy finish; age crack to center of ivory medallion; one foot with old break to neck of bird head which is detached but present; the underside of the top with an arrangement of plugs in concentric circles probably part of the construction. Ivory banding with losses to the black infilling to Greek key pattern.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Galle District of Ceylon was famous in the 19th Century for its specimen-wood furniture, remarked upon by a traveller in 1848 who described a tea table as a `fine specimen of the Point-de-Galle inlaid work, on which we are expended the varied beauties of Ceylon`s ninety-nine species of cotly wood. The skilful artificers of Galle tempt the traveler with exquisite productions of their art'; in 1850, H.C. Sirr wrote that in Galle one could find `those exquisite inlaid articles, which far surpass any speciemn of Tunbridge ware that has yet been produced- ivory and various coloured native wods are inlaid upon the ebony and as the designs are well defined, the effect produced is magnificent.'; A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, 2001, p.373, fig. 142 illustrates an ebony circular table with a similar specimen-wood design top.

For further comparison see Sotheby`s New York, English Furniture, Ceramics and Decorations, October 20th & 21, 2003, lot 350, a similar table to the present lot sold for $66,000. A further and almost identical example to the present lot sold Sotheby's, London, November 18, 2009, lot 89 (£30,000).

Jaffer, (op.cit.) illustrates on p.376, fig. 184 a workbox from the same Galle district with a similar medallion to the cente of the lid.

For further information about furniture from this region see Regional Furniture, Volume X, 1996, Robin Jones, 'Nineteenth Century Carved Ebony Furniture from Sri Lanka: Suggested Methods of Interpretation', pp. 27-41.