Indian Inlaid Hardstone Box

A large Indian hardstone and shell inlaid box and cover, 20th…
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A large Indian hardstone and shell inlaid box and cover, 20th century, the rectangular box with a pierced shaped reserve of repeating quatrefoil motifs to the cover, surrounded by a floral pattern of inlaid semi-precious stones and Mother-of-pearl on a white stone ground, the sides matching. Height 7.5 cm, length 31 cm, width 23 cm

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  • Hardstone - Hardstone is not a scientific name for a particular gemstone, but a word used to describe any one or more semi-precious stones used in jewellery and decorative arts, and can include jade, agate, onyx, rock crystal, amber, jet and carnelian. Softer stones and minerals such as soapstone, and alabaster and hard stones used in building such as marble or granite are generally excluded.
  • 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.
  • Quatrefoil - A stylised four-circle design, itself contained within a larger circle, with Gothic origins and often seen as window designs in ecclesiastical architecture. The use of the motif was popular in Gothic Revival furniture of the 19th century.

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