What is Syrian mother of pearl furniture?

These items are nineteenth and early twentieth century wooden furnishings decorated with intricate geometric mosaics made from mother-of-pearl, bone, and abalone. They include tables, chairs, cabinets, and trunks influenced by Middle Eastern and North African design traditions. Many of these objects were imported directly into Britain or produced in collaboration with European retailers who popularised the Moorish aesthetic in domestic interiors.

How were these tables and chairs used?

Hexagonal and octagonal tables functioned as occasional furniture for holding lamps or decorative objects in drawing rooms and reception spaces. Writing tables and games tables served practical domestic purposes while displaying complex surface decoration. Seating items such as armchairs, window seats, and settee suites provided functional places to sit while contributing to an exotic, eclectic interior decorative scheme.

How do I identify the period?

Dating relies on timber selection, structural joinery, and the style of the inlay work alongside documented retail associations. Pieces originating in the nineteenth century often employ heavier hardwood frames and denser bone and pearl configurations. Items produced around nineteen-twenty frequently reflect transitional export designs or specific stylistic adaptations created for European department stores.

How do I care for inlaid furniture?

Maintain stable indoor humidity levels to prevent the wooden substrate from expanding and causing the tiny pearl and bone tesserae to loosen. Avoid placing these items in direct sunlight or near heat sources that could dry out the adhesives. Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth without applying harsh chemical polishes that might degrade the dark mastic filler between the mosaic pieces.

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Syrian Mother of Pearl Furniture

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Syrian mother of pearl furniture brings intricate geometric inlay and rich timbers into a room, offering functional seating and tables rooted in centuries of Levantine craft.