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Two Nasrid or Post-Nasrid Andalusian X-Shaped Folding Hip Chairs (Sillas de Caderas / Jamugas): A 16th–17th Century and a 19th-Century Moorish Revival Counterpart, Both Inlaid with Taracea Marquetry Woodwork, Bone, and Ivory, Granada-Spain.

Identification Number:
Available

Description

Combined Lot Description (Covering Both Chairs)

These two exceptional folding hip chairs (Sillas de Caderas or Jamugas) represent a rare opportunity to acquire both an original Nasrid or Post-Nasrid dynasty example (Chair 1) and a closely related Moorish Revival reinterpretation (Chair 2), illustrating more than four centuries of continuous Andalusian artistic tradition.

Despite belonging to different periods, both chairs share:

  • the same X-shaped architectural structure,
  • near-identical geometric Taracea (ترصيع) marquetry techniques,
  • the use of bone and ivory inlay,
  • scrolled arms, roundels, and repeated star motifs,
  • and a long history of replacement leather upholstery, typical of chairs of this type.

The Nasrid/Post-Nasrid chair (Chair 1) is a significant early example, closely related to the celebrated chair in the Instituto Valencia de Don Juan, Madrid, almost certainly produced in the same Granada workshop.

Please see: El Mueble en España: Siglos XVI–XVII, María Paz Aguiló Alonso, Madrid 1993, ISBN 84-86508-32-0 — similar chair in the Instituto Valencia de Don Juan, Madrid (no. 305, p. 349).

The 19th-century Moorish Revival chair (Chair 2) preserves the same design vocabulary, faithfully echoing the splendour of Nasrid taste at a time when Spanish Neo-Mudejar and revivalist craftsmanship flourished.

Together, these chairs clearly demonstrate the enduring influence of Nasrid Granada long after the end of Islamic rule in Spain in 1492 and the death of Muhammad XII (Boabdil) in 1533, with the traditional forms continuing into the 17th century and reviving again in the 19th century.

CHAIR 1

Nasrid or Post-Nasrid Dynasty Taracea (ترصيع) Inlaid X-Shaped Folding Hip Chair (Silla de Caderas / Jamuga)

Walnut with Micro-Mosaic Marquetry and Bone 
Granada, Spain, probably 16th–17th Century

This exceptionally rare Nasrid or Post-Nasrid Taracea (ترصيع) inlaid folding hip chair (Silla de Caderas / Jamuga) represents one of the finest surviving examples of Granada’s celebrated marquetry tradition. Its form and decorative program correspond closely to the important 16th. century chair preserved in the Instituto Valencia de Don Juan, Madrid, strongly suggesting that both were produced in the same Granada workshop in the early post-Nasrid period.

The two chairs share near-identical decorative language—including the distribution of geometric parquetry, micro-mosaic inlays, bone and ivory tesserae, and repeated roundels—confirming a shared artistic origin.

Leather Replacement

Like the Don Juan Institute chair, the original leather of this example did not survive. It was discovered without upholstery and fitted in recent years with 19th-century Moroccan leather, a historically sympathetic replacement and consistent with surviving Jamuga chairs of this type.

Description

  • X-shaped frame with scrolled arm supports
  • Extensive Taracea marquetry in boxwood and mixed hardwoods
  • Micro-mosaic inlays, bone and ivory tesserae
  • Borders with alternating triangles
  • Central large bone-and-ivory roundel framed by four waterwheel roundels
  • Additional geometric star work, hexagons, chevrons, and polygonal parquetry
  • Hidden interior surfaces also fully decorated

Registration of item with ivory content: Submission reference EEMVC9AL

CHAIR 2

Moorish–Nasrid Revival Walnut Folding Hip Chair (Sillón de Caderas / Jamuga)

Veneered and Inlaid with Marquetry, Ebony, White Metal, Bone & Ivory
Spain, Circa 19th Century

This striking 19th-century Moorish Revival Sillón de Caderas continues the Andalusian Nasrid tradition with remarkable fidelity. The entire X-shaped frame is veneered and inlaid with a rich combination of marquetry, ebony, white metal, bone, and ivory, reflecting the same geometric principles that define Nasrid Granada craftsmanship.

The chair echoes the structure of the earlier 16th–17th century example (Chair 1) and preserves many of the same star motifs, roundels, split-palmettes, and interlaced geometric patterns, demonstrating the longevity of the Nasrid aesthetic into the 19th century.

Leather and Upholstery

The leather seat and backrest—attached with large brass studs—are stamped with interlaced geometric patterns and the famous Nasrid emblem:

(لا غالب إلا الله)
“There is no conqueror but God.”

This inscription, used by the Sultans of Granada, became the defining symbol of Nasrid identity and appears frequently on palace furnishings, most notably in the Alhambra.

Description

  • X-shaped frame with curved and scrolled armrests
  • Rich veneers and geometric marquetry
  • Repeated star motifs and circular medallions
  • Leather seat stamped with split-palmettes and arabesques
  • Leather backrest stamped with geometric designs and Nasrid inscription
  • Mounted with brass studs
  • An important example of Spain’s 19th-century Neo-Mudejar Revival

Registration of item with ivory content: Submission reference Y97CF1VY

Dimensions

Dimensions of Chair No. 1 (16-17th. Century)

Maximum height: 93 cm

Maximum width: 61 cm

Depth: 44 cm

Dimensions of Chair No. 2 (19th. Century)

Maximum height: 88 cm

Maximum width: 64.2 cm

Depth: 51 cm

Condition

Chair No. 1
Very good condition.
The original leather seat and backrest were lost and have been replaced with later antique Moroccan leather, carefully mounted in the correct historical manner. The leather is secured using stylised brass flower-shaped studs, consistent with traditional Andalusian and North-African upholstery practices. The wooden structure remains stable, with the inlay in very good overall condition.

Chair No. 2
Generally, in very good condition.
The leather seat shows minor wear and age-related surface tear, but the wooden frame, joinery, and the complete inlay work are in immaculate condition. No structural issues observed; the decorative surfaces retain excellent integrity.

Provence

The Western Art Market.

References

1. Museum Comparisons & Academic References
Instituto de Valencia de Don Juan, Madrid

A chair of almost identical model, proportions and inlaid decoration is preserved in the Valencia Institute of Don Juan (published in:
Maria Paz Aguiló Alonso, El Mueble en España: Siglos XVI–XVII, Madrid, 1993, p. 349, no. 305).
The example shares the same roundel structure, inlay patterns, and X-frame construction, strongly suggesting production in the same Granada workshop as Chair No. 1.
Like our lot, the museum chair also has completely replaced leather, confirming a consistent survival pattern.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Also, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York preserves several 14th–15th century Nasrid folding chairs with star-shaped inlay, geometric roundels, and walnut X-frames—the canonical prototypes for both examples in the current lot.
Published in: Otto Kurz, “Folding Chairs and Koran Stands,” in Ettinghausen (ed.), Islamic Art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1972, pp. 299–314 (esp. p. 305).

Alhambra, Granada

Comparable Nasrid seats illustrated in Art Islámico en Granada, Exhibition Catalogue, 1995, pp. 436–437, no. 188, reinforce the continuity of this design from the Nasrid palatial workshops.

2. Major Auction Comparables
Christie’s – The Definitive Nasrid/Post-Nasrid Example (Most Important Reference)

Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic & Indian Worlds
7 April 2011, Lot 119
A Nasrid or Post-Nasrid Chair, Andalusia, late 15th–early 16th century
Price realised: GBP 385,250 (Estimate GBP 250,000–350,000)
This remains the leading market comparison and exhibits the same geometric inlay, star-motifs, floral roundels, and X-frame structure. Its replaced leather seat and backrest reinforce the standard condition found in surviving chairs, including ours.

Christie’s – A Pair of Moorish Ivory-Veneered Folding Chairs

Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic & Indian Worlds
10 October 2013, Lot 71
A Pair of “Moorish” Ivory and Hardwood Veneered Folding Chairs, Spain, 18th century
Price realised: GBP 22,500
A valuable comparison showing the continued Andalusian tradition of ivory-veneered X-frame chairs into the 18th century.

Sotheby’s – Nasrid or Post-Nasrid Ivory-Inlaid Chair

Sotheby’s, Lot 252
A Nasrid or Post-Nasrid Ivory-Inlaid Walnut Chair, Andalusia, 15th–16th century
A closely related example with near-identical construction and decorative vocabulary—including ivory geometric rosettes, stellar motifs, and an X-shaped frame.

2. Summary of Relevance to the Present Lots

Chair No. 1 aligns with early Nasrid/Post-Nasrid prototypes and is closest to the Don Juan Institute example in Madrid—very likely from the same Granada workshop.

Chair No. 2 corresponds to documented 19th-century Moorish revival craftsmanship, based faithfully on 14th–15th century Nasrid originals.

Replacement leather is historically standard: the Christie’s 2011 example, the museum example, and both current lots exhibit later upholstery, confirming authenticity of construction and wear.

The strong auction precedents—especially Christie’s 2011 (£385,250)—demonstrate the high cultural, historical, and market significance of these chairs.

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