ϒ A Ceylonese ebony and specimen wood inlaid circular centre table, second quarter 19th century, the circular top with radiating serpentine bands of tropical timbers to include satinwood, coromandel and palm wood, surrounded by an ivory inlaid and lappet carved border, above a reeded turned tapering stem incorporating scrolling lappet carved terminals, the concave sided plinth base cornered by moulded roundels, on squat turned bun feet and concealed castors, 75cm high, the top 122cm diameter This table is typical of the carved ebony furniture manufactured on the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the Galle district, throughout the 19th century. While the form of these tables is based on English designs dating to the second quarter of the 19th century (such as Thomas King's The Modern Style of Cabinet Work Exemplified of 1829), the carved ornament, including the lotus motif are derived from local traditions. These tables were supplied to the British colonists in Ceylon and India for export to England. A number of tables similarly inlaid with exotic woods are known, including the earliest dated example, formerly at the Royal Commonwealth Society with a presentation plaque dated 1836 (A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London, 2001, p. 373, fig. 142).A virtually identical table was sold, Christie's, Interiors - Style & Spirit, London, 13th May 2008 (£38,900). An almost identical table was sold Christie's, London, 21-22 November 2007, Lot 160. A related example was displayed in the Ceylon Court of the Paris 1855 International Exhibition and discussed in the Catalogue of the Natural and Artificial Products of Ceylon, 1855. ϒ Indicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.