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Cutting mother of pearl and inlaying it like this is very time consuming. The design is made of several elements. These are not always cut apart. Very fine lines are cut as between the cup and its ornamental rim. The base of the cup has a cut line. The cut lines to display the feathers in the wings of the birds are exquisite. The grain of the rosewood is continuous. The mop design was laid on top and the rosewood excavated to inlay it. I don't think this accuracy could be  achieved by cutting together. A technique of cutting out mother of pearl with acid  was patented around this time. Perhaps a little later. The cuts which don't go through are fascinating. 

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