Many of our esteemed members would know what's an ''Anglo Indian Sadeli Card Tray/Basket''. A rare specimen of it, made in Bombay Presidency around 1860, was on sale recently. It's now gone, but you can still see its images at http://www.rubylane.com/shops/rubylane-sold/item/430349x20RL000152 This is how the webpage describes the antique: *** This is a rare example of a surviving Anglo Indian sadeli card tray/basket which was made within the Bombay Presidency of Colonial British India in around 1860. Of octagonal form, the construction is complex and measures 9" by 8" by 2". The carcass is of sandalwood and decorated with an attractive green dominant sadeli and ivory design inset with variable sized roundels. The top lip is veneered in ivory and inset with roundels. The sadeli design is repeated on the interior and exterior frame support and the base is veneered in ebony and finished with the original faded red velvet. The sides of the tray are finished in tortoiseshell and it sits on attractive ivory bun feet. The item was designed as a calling card or letter tray (for staff to deliver the cards or letters of visitors to the Master or Mistress of the House). Condition is exceptional given that few of these items actually survive. This is because the joints are necessarily fragile and the overall complex structure is prone to distortion or fracturing. In this particular case, there are no losses other than minute almost singular pieces of micro mosaic and a tiny slither of ivory on the lip and it is presented in excellent order. The side panels were constructed of a very thin pierced bone and I am yet to find one still intact. Please note that this item has had the bone panels replaced with faux tortoiseshell (which may be removed if not desired). There is minimal distortion to the base which I have addressed by adding an ivory screw to each of the feet so that they can be variated as required. This remains a rare survivor enhanced only with the minor restoration detailed. *** ----- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India