Moroccan Architectural Detail: Shelf

Six brackets, a field of painted stars, and a lot of patience from somebody.

This architectural shelf comes from Morocco in North Africa and dates to the 18th century, in painted cedar wood. In Morocco, painted cedar fittings like this dressed the interiors of houses and palaces, with shelves holding lamps and household goods among dense geometric ornament. A shallow ledge with interlaced star patterns in green, ochre and red projects from a tall back. Six carved brackets rise in a row along that back, over faded floral painting. A band of dark and white palmettes runs across the front edge. Forty-two inches long, 19 deep and 17 high.

Hard to say what belongs on it. It has already decorated itself.