This precious table, of a typology recorded in contemporary sources as a bufete and probably made in Thane, near Bombay (present-day Maharashtra), is a worthy representative of the best marquetry furniture produced in that Portuguese controlled territory during the second half of the 16th century. Characterised by its ebony (Dyospiros ebenum) veneered teak (Tectona grandis ) carcass and solid Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia ) legs, it is masterfully inlaid in ivory, green dyed bone and teak.

The table top decorative composition consists of a central field with isometric pattern of cubes, alternating ebony, rosewood, ivory and green dyed bone elements, framed by a broad foliage border, symmetrical and Persian in nature as is typical of this production, in a language often confused with Mughal influence. This mirrored decoration is repeated on the two drawers’ fronts and on the lateral panels of quatrefoil borders, also characteristic of this earlier manufacture. The leg’s stretchers adopt the original European prototype, albeit with jatayuh shaped feet.

Luxurious furniture, and other imported exotic items, were prevalent in late 16th century European aristocratic and other wealthy households. These included portable writing and table top cabinets alongside a range of tables, such as the present example, which were also basic requirements for European officials, merchants and traders settling or travelling in Asia.[1] Small sized and precious, these tables were made of exotic and precious materials, which were much admired, and avidly sought after in Europe, for their appealing design and technical accomplishment.

Given that contemporary Portuguese records refer the village of “Taná”, or Thane (now part of Mumbai), as a flourishing Muslim craftsmen community and source of valuable marquetry furniture, it is highly likely that this precious dais table originates from that production centre, then part of Portuguese India Northern Province.[2]

The present table belongs to the exceptional group of rare furniture made for the Portuguese market, which has only recently been identified in regards to its geographical origin, decorative inspiration sources (Iranian, Ottoman, and European) and historical production context.[3]

Hugo Miguel Crespo

Centre for History, University of Lisbon

[1] See Amin Jaffer, Luxury Goods from India. The Art of the Cabinet-Maker, London, V&A Publications, 2002; and Pedro Dias, Mobiliário Indo-Português , Moreira de Cónegos, Imaginalis, 2006.

[2] On Portuguese-ruled Thane, see Sidh Losa Mendiratta, “Two Towns and a Villa. Baçaim, Chaul and Taná: The Defensive Structure of Three Indo-Portuguese Settlements in Northern Province of the Estado da Índia”, in Yogesh Sharma, Pius Malenkandathil (eds.), Medieval Cities in India, New Delhi, Primus Books, 2014, pp. 805-814.

[3] See Hugo Miguel Crespo, Choices, Lisboa, AR-PAB, 2016, pp. 136-171, cat. 15; and Hugo Miguel Crespo, India in Portugal. A Time of Artistic Confluence (cat.), Porto, Bluebook, 2021, pp. 88-104.