Moorish Inlaid Accent Table, also known as Syrian Table, Damascene Table, or Ottoman Octagonal Table
Table (Accent Table, Side Table, Occasional Table) · Moorish Revival / Islamic Art (Late 19th to Early 20th Century) · Unmarked artisan workshop from the Levant region (Syria, Egypt, or Turkey), typical of the booming souvenir and export market of the late Victorian era.
Type
Table (Accent Table, Side Table, Occasional Table)
Style Period
Moorish Revival / Islamic Art (Late 19th to Early 20th Century)
Material
Hardwood structure (likely beech or walnut) heavily embellished with intricate micro-mosaic marquetry consisting of alternating light and dark wood strips, mother-of-pearl (or camel bone) inlay, and tin or wire stringing.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1920, aligning with the height of the Moorish Revival and Arts and Crafts movements.
Dimensions
Estimated height of 24 to 28 inches, width and depth around 18 to 22 inches, consistent with a standard occasional or coffee side table.
Origin
Middle East (specifically Damascus, Syria, or Cairo, Egypt), brought to the West as popular travel souvenirs during the Orientalist craze of the late 19th century.
Designer/Maker
Unmarked artisan workshop from the Levant region (Syria, Egypt, or Turkey), typical of the booming souvenir and export market of the late Victorian era.
Value Estimate
Estimated between $300 to $900 USD at auction or antique retail, heavily dependent on the density of the inlay work and overall condition.
Description
An exquisite hand-crafted occasional table showcasing the pinnacle of Middle Eastern woodwork and geometry. The piece features heavily turned wooden legs integrated with central square posts entirely covered in microscopic geometric mosaic work utilizing wood and mother-of-pearl. An intricate cross-stretcher base adds structural stability and visual complexity, making it a stunning example of Orientalist decorative arts.
Key Features
Micro-mosaic geometric inlay, mother-of-pearl accents, square-section posts transitioning into turned feet, and an elaborate intersecting stretcher base.
Color & Finish
Warm golden-brown natural wood stain sealed with a clear varnish or traditional shellac, highlighting the contrasting white mother-of-pearl and dark wood tessellations.
Construction Method
Handcrafted by traditional artisans utilizing complex geometric marquetry techniques, pegged joints, and turned wooden components combined with square-section posts.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Exceptional traditional hand-crafted joinery featuring interlocking pieces and intricate micro-mosaic inlay work assembled with high precision.
Wood Grain & Species
Straight-grained secondary framing woods accented by highly detailed geometric parquetry and intricate micro-mosaic pictorial inlay.
Surface Treatment
Smooth varnished finish with elaborate geometric surface patterns created via painstaking hand-applied micro-mosaic tesserae.
Upholstery Details
Not applicable as this is an all-wood and inlay occasional table.
Hardware & Fittings
No metal hardware or mechanical fittings are visibly employed, relying instead on traditional pegged wooden joinery.
Origin & Provenance
Middle East (specifically Damascus, Syria, or Cairo, Egypt), brought to the West as popular travel souvenirs during the Orientalist craze of the late 19th century.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. Minor surface wear consistent with age, with all major inlay elements intact and no structural compromising observed.
Interesting Facts
These tables became wildly popular in Western households following the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where Middle Eastern pavilions heavily showcased traditional crafts.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian fascination with Orientalism and global exoticism, bridging Islamic geometric art traditions with Western interior domestic spaces.
Similar Pieces
Anglo-Indian inlay tables or Moorish folding tables (often octagonal with spider-web lattices), distinguished from this piece by the specific use of micro-mosaic tile patterns rather than all-over brass wire or flat bone inlay.
Care & Maintenance
Dust gently with a dry, soft microfiber cloth. Avoid chemical polishes, excessive moisture, and direct sunlight to protect the fragile mother-of-pearl and shellac finish.
Value Estimate
Estimated between $300 to $900 USD at auction or antique retail, heavily dependent on the density of the inlay work and overall condition.
Sustainability Notes
Represents sustainable historical craftsmanship built for multi-generational durability, utilizing small scraps of wood and organic materials like bone or shell for decoration.