Dim.: 32,5 x 28 cm (closed)Dim.: 40,5 x 28 cm (opened)  Commissioned under Portuguese patronage, these oratories were probably the work of artisans from Gujarat. They illustrate the Gujarati decorative technique of working with mother-of-pearl found on goldsmiths' work as well as furniture and objects. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Gujarat was the centre of production of a range of articles decorated with or fashioned from mother-of-pearl. These luxury goods such as caskets, ceremonial maces, basins and ewers were being made for consumption within India and for export to markets in the Middle East and Europe. Ref.:- Sotheby's, London, Oct. 8, 2014, lot 220, for a closely related example. (link available on rm-auctions.com)- Bonham's, London, April 21, 2015, lot 238, for a closely related example. (link available on rm-auctions.com)- A Namban oratory in the Convent of Santa Maria da Caridade, Sardoal, Santarem, Portugal, very nicely demonstrates the actual use of such oratories. (link available on rm-auctions.com)- A. Jaffer, Luxury Goods from India: The Art of the Indian Cabinet-maker, London, 2002, cat. nos. 11-14, pp. 38-43, for a number of similar objects from Gujarat in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London which are constructed of wood and covered entirely with pieces of mother-of-pearl.  品相: The absence of a condition report does not imply that a lot is in perfect condition. Please contact us to let us know which lots are of interest, so we can make the requested reports for you.Once complete, they will be published on our website.High resolution pictures are already available on our website at www.rm-auctions.com.