Early Spanish Colonial Valuables Storage Box, Highly Carved

Spain? Spanish Colonial

Mid 17th to early 18th century | Item 2216

This is an amazing and early walnut (most likely) box for valuables. These smaller, sturdy, wood chests where used to store valuables and clothing and showed to the outside world a level of wealth and power. This one is unusual for the high degree of decoration and for the secret drawer at the bottom. The front is carved with a couple. The woman on the left has her left hand holding part of the vegetation surrounding them. Her right hand lays in front of her. The man has a sword in his left hand and he’s resting the sword behind his upper back. He is wearing a large hat. He has a mustache and both are looking at each other. The hairstyles, clothing and hats are all shown, to the point that one could possibly date this box from their clothing.

Each end of the box has the heart pierced with two arrows. This symbol can have several meanings. In this situation, I imagine that it symbolizes love as a “double-edged sword”, capable of bringing both immense joy and potential pain. It could also symbolize devotion to something or sacrifice. The lock and hinge systems are highly complex and show a high grade of hammered steel. The wood has developed a high level of wear and patina, something I really love about old, well used wood.

The existing drawer at the bottom appears to be a later modification. The box was built with a false bottom and the same hidden space below, but it’s original cover has been replace with a drawer cover to match the upper, original design. The drawer has round headed nails so I assume this addition was made around 1880 or later. While the hinge work is very old, it seems to have replaced a different set that was spaced a bit further out from the current hinges. The evidence can be seen by the filler used to mask where the original hinges were.

The inside edges of the panels all have a punched impression of a “S” shape. I wonder if this design might have reference to a family seal or symbol.

Price
$2,950
Dimensions 28.5" Wm 14.5" H, 14" D
Condition Well used and appropriate for its early age.
Provenance A private collection in New Hampshire, USA
A very early valuables storage box, smaller, 17th to early 18th century, heavily carved, Spanish Colonial, walnut, possibly from Spain.
A very early valuables storage box, smaller, 17th to early 18th century, heavily carved, Spanish Colonial, walnut, possibly from Spain.