Description
This extraordinary pair of octagonal tables, likely commissioned for the Armenian community in the Holy Lands—Jerusalem or Bethlehem—during the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century, are truly unique. Each table features a central, engraved, and red polychrome-painted hole, sparking theories about their original purpose.
Some believe these holes suggest that the tables were designed as stands for monumental crucifixes.
Another hypothesis is that the tables represent the sacred hole where Baby Jesus is believed to have been born at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, as the engraved decoration around the hole mirrors the flame-like motifs found on the silver mounts surrounding that sacred spot.
The tables are adorned with finely cut pieces of mother of pearl, intricately fitted onto the wooden surfaces and inlaid with black, red, and green lac or paste.
The intricate decorations include multiple confronted winged dragons, likely representing St. George and the dragon, as well as the Holy Spirit in the form of a descending dove.
The sides of the tables feature various carved roundels depicting Christian religious symbols, such as a lion with a human head, a brilliant sun motif, a crowned lion, and various representations of the Holy Spirit dove.
The sides are also beautifully engraved with floral branches and accented with red and green hues.
For a comparable example, see the glazed display cabinet located within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which houses a collection of antique mother-of-pearl inlaid furniture, including Qur’an stands (kursi or rahle) and a similarly styled table.
