Built at the end of the Ottoman empire, our 19th century, inlay furniture was recently rescued and expertly refinished. The beauty of this line is its pedigree of design, astonishing craftsmanship and historical significance. The shift toward geometry and mathematical precision in the style of these objects emerged during the Middle Ages. “(W)hereas woodwork made in previous centuries is generally vegetal or calligraphic in style… objects produced in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries are decidedly geometric” (Yasser 2014). As Islamic belief traditionally forbids representation of the human figure, artisans from that point onward began utilizing various visual abstractions in their work. Those meticulous, angular inlays you observe here are exemplary of this shift. The process of preserving the structure and finishes of such pieces requires a studied knowledge of craft as transmitted through centuries – and currently possessed by artisans based at the NOA Living Atelier in Lebanon. We opt not to reproduce, but rather to “rebirth” these objects with a luxurious, modern spirit. Our goal is to offer superior collectibles that enrich your living space and will be passed down for generations. Despite current, regional unrest, we were able to recover, restore, and share the artistic achievements of an ancient culture originally dating to the Ur temples of Mesopotamia.

REFERENCE:

Tabbaa, Yasser. 2014. “Originality and Innovation in Woodwork of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries.” In: Material Evidence and Narrative Sources. Vol. 108.