An Indo-Portuguese writing table

 Unusual 17th century Indo-Portuguese writing-table. The teak and sissoo carcass inlaid in an ivory and ebony decorative stylized composition of animals, plants and scrollwork.

The tabletop is profusely ornate, in a pattern that radiates from a central rosette encircled by double filleting that, in turn, frames a row of alternating lozenge and circle motifs, from which radiate centripetal amphorae with stylized vegetal motifs.  The outer edge of the tabletop is decorated in a dense and elaborate composition of ebony inlay and long ivory filaments in circles and scrolls, ending in the stylized eye and beak of the Hindu demi-god eagle Jatayu.

The frame is fitted with two drawers with compartmented interiors designed for storage of writing paraphernalia. The drawer fronts decorated by inlaid scrollwork and enriched by pierced and guilt copper escutcheons. On the sides and on the back of the case a central amphora from which emerge floral scrolls ending in blossoming flowers.

The outer angled legs follow a similar matrix of inlaid alternating circles and lozenge motifs, standing on feet shaped as the Hindu mythological protector figure Jatayu. They legs are linked by double, plain and undulating stretchers fitted at two levels and decorated in a similar pattern.