Mother of Pearl Inlaid Altar Table with Animal Motifs

A carved hardwood and mother of pearl inlaid altar table, early…
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A carved hardwood and Mother of pearl inlaid altar table, early 20th century, (1840-1916), the Blue Mansion, Penang, the rectangular top decorated with a border of birds and animals among trees and plants, above an apron pierced with prunus and Buddhist lions, the square section legs carved with animal masks, joined with side stretchers above ball and claw feet, 112 cm high, 223 cm wide, 55 cm deep

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  • Foo Dogs - Foo Dogs, also known as "Fo Dogs", "Fu Dogs", and " Buddhist lions" are the Chinese guardian lions that have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces and tombs, government offices, and the homes of the influential are believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits.

    They are a popular motif in decorative arts, especially ceramics and garden statuary, where they are depicted in pairs, comprising of a male resting his paw upon an embroidered ball, representing supremacy over the world, and a female restraining a playful cub, representing the nurturing properties of the female.
  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

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