A Syrian Armchair

A rare, 19th century Syrian "X" shaped armchair decorated with inlaid mother-of-pearl flower motifs, and with arabesque-pattern blind frets. The back, depicting Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns, lifts off to allow this armchair to fold. Please note that this model of armchair was copied by ancient Romans, and later by the Florentines during the Renaissance period, in what became known as the "Savonarola Armchair", or the "Dante Armchair".