This table is made of teak and rosewood, decorated with ebony and ivory inlays. Decoration work reveals strong influence of Islamic art. Playing with colors of the various materials used, the entire table, particularly the table top, is meticulously inlaid with ivory and ebony. The overall design is composed of geometric elements, scrolling vines and floral motifs. Such motifs appear not only in furniture but also in the decorations found on textiles, architectural reliefs and paintings of the period. The central design of the top shows a medallion bounded by two circles with geometric patterns of diamonds and arabesque forms. It is further surrounded by rich foliage of leafy vines carrying stylized flowers along the borders of the rectangular frame. The legs are carved in the manner known as the “barley twist” or “barley-sugar twist”. The latter is commonly used by English and European collectors making reference to a type of sweet traditionally made in this shape in the 17th century. This style is also referred as the Solomonic column in classical architectural terms, implying on its helical spiral twisting form. A very common feature seen in Baroque architecture in Europe and Portuguese furniture in the 17th century.
