Object Description
An extremely rare late 17th-century arabesque marquetry and olive oyster lace box of large scale, from the reign of William and Mary, circa 1690. England
The cross-banded ovolo-moulded holly and ebony inlaid top is centred by an oval of arabesque marquetry bordered in oysters of olive finely strung to each side and quartered in a similar fashion, all on a ground of walnut.
The cross-grain moulded frieze is decorated to the sides in large book-matched oysters and to the face, a large marquetry break arch panel of arabesque marquetry centred by a shield-shaped escutcheon.
The interior is lined in burgundy velvet.
It should be noted that very few marquetry lace boxes from the 17th century are known.
Superb colour and patination.
Lace boxes of all forms look great on ottomans, coffee tables, chests, side tables, console tables, etc.