18th-century Indo-Portuguese chest/cabinet

- Rectangular in shape, our cabinet opens on the front with a flap fitted with a lock, revealing six drawers arranged in three rows. The cabinet stands on four small feet to allow the flap to open fully.

- All exterior and interior surfaces are richly decorated with exotic wood and bone marquetry. The drawer handles are also in bone. The decoration on the outside is organized in a succession of concentric frames delimited by listels. The outer frame is adorned with painted motifs on a green background, while a herringbone marquetry with reserve unfolds in the second inner frame. In the center, a rectangle houses a geometric semi-flora. The faces of the interior drawers repeat some of these elements, such as the painted green frame and the semis of florets. The painted decoration on the flap is a feigned marquetry, echoing the ornamental vocabulary deployed on the cabinet's interior and exterior faces.

- In addition to the marquetry decoration, the very small dimensions of this cabinet add to its preciousness. Small handles on the sides indicate the mobile nature of the cabinet.

- In its current state, restoration work is to be noted (marquetry simulated in places by green or white paint).

- Our cabinet is part of the Indo-Portuguese production. These were made in India, under Portuguese protection. These small travel cabinets were highly prized by 18th-century Europeans living in India, as their many drawers could be used to store personal effects or small precious objects such as jewelry.

- Dimensions: H: 15 cm W: 25.4 cm D: 18.6 cm

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