Ornate Marriage Chest Adorned with Moorish Inlay & Jeweled Accents

Something To Cherish...A Jewelled Hope, Marriage Chest. Words can sometimes fail to express the beauty of some highly prized objects...no exception here. I think you just have to explore this one, and decide for yourself. But in the meantime I'll tell some more... This having to be one of the prettiest chest I have come across. Probably a dowry or sometimes known as a hope chest or marriage chest. This sits on bracketed feet, has a domed hinged lid, covering a shallow tray, flap down front with a large internal storage space and hidden pull out drawer below. The white metal chase work on the domed lid features highly detailed scroll work with brass studs. The centre of each repeating interlinked circular design has a semi-precious stone mounted into a heart shape mount. Three sides of the chest are covered with an overlay of chased white metal similar in appearance of silver, framing each section. Someone has created the design in a Moorish Architectural style and each window looks through to the multicoloured decorated bone inlay. This detail continues on both sides with an ornate chased shaped drop handle. The back is has a plain sheet of brass with further chase work, inscriptions, and brass studs. Whoever made this certainly prized this piece as it is so embellished with detail. Even to the point of adding brass bracketed feet to the back. Another tiny detail, almost missed on first inspection, is the brass ropework border running around the edge of the domed lid. The interior is lined with a brown leather and has leather strap stays. A rare piece with stunning detail. Period: Circa Late 19th Century - Early 1900s Material: Bone, Brass, White Metal, Precious Stones, Leather interior Origin: North African/Moroccan