A fine silver-mounted marquetry wood album
Egypt, period of King Fouad I (reg. 1917-36)
of rectangular form, the marquetry hinged front cover mounted with an openwork central medallion with spandrels containing split palmette interlace and set in parcel-gilt with the Royal Arms of Egypt, surrounded by a border of split palmette interlace interspersed by quatrefoils and rosettes, all set with parcel-gilt stars, green leather lining to interior
34.7 x 50 cm.
Footnotes:
Provenance
Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art Including Contemporary Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern Paintings, 28 April 2005, lot 450.
Private UK collection.

King Fouad I, son of Khedive Ismail, was born in 1868. He was the ruler of Egypt from 9th October 1917 until his death on 28th April 1936. During his reign, Egypt changed from its brief status as a sultanate under British protectorate, and its earlier status prior to World War I as a Khedieval state nominally subservient to the Ottoman Sultan-Caliph in Istanbul, to become a fully fledged and independent Kingdom. This album would probably have been used to house photographs or a state visitor's book.