A MORO SHELL-INLAID CARVED HARDWOOD DOWRY CHEST... Lot 178

A MORO SHELL-INLAID CARVED HARDWOOD DOWRY CHEST Possibly Mindanao, Moro provinces, Southern Philippines, South-East Asia, early 1900s Of typical rectangular shape, resting on four bracket feet, the base and hinged lid inlaid with shell micro-marquetry mosaic and carved on all sides except for the back, each panel featuring large interlocking foliated scrolls with exotic flowers and buds, the lid with a pair of long-tailed birds perched amidst the vegetal trellis, encased within a narrow band of triangular-shaped shell-inlaid fretwork running around the edges, the decorative technique and repertoire typical of Moro work (Filipino Muslim communities), the trunk's shape showing clear echoes to 16th and 17th-century Spanish and Portuguese marquetry chests and cabinets, the interior plain, 48cm x 99cm x 49cm.