The method of veneering sadeli mosaic involves the binding together of geometrically-shaped rods, each about two feet in length, of various materials, sometimes including horn, tin, ivory, stained ivory, sappan wood and ebony. They are arranged geometrically and then sliced through transversely and arranged into sheets of repeating patterns which are then glued onto the carcase. The main centre of production in India was Bombay and its district, the earliest known pieces appear to have been produced in the first decade of the 19th century. Commonly produced items veneered in sadeli were small, portable boxes, writing-cases, ink-stands, letter-openers, picture-frames and other such curios, although chairs and gaming-tables are known [see below] (A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London, 2001, p. 313, cf. nos. 128-131, 134-139, 143-149).
A sadeli mosaic and pewter-inlaid ivory games-table was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 5 April 2001, lot 216 (24,675).