Savonarola Chair W / Mother-of-Pearl Inlay and Brass Pins

Every curve here is slatted, crossed and pinned, and none of it is shy.

This Savonarola chair was made in Syria in the 20th century, in wood with mother-of-pearl inlay and brass pins. The form, built from curved slats that cross in an X, descends from Italian Renaissance seating and was widely adopted across the Middle East. Here the dark frame is banded in fine pearl inlay and studded with brass pins, so each slat glints like a line of stitching. A crescent of small rosettes arches over a large round medallion on the back, and a patterned seat spans the arms.

About 42 inches tall. Sit on it once, then admit it is mostly sculpture.