Encased chest. Viceroyalty of Peru, 17th century and later.

Encased chest. Viceroyalty of Peru, 17th century and later.
Coniferous wood; leather lining; iron hardware.
Wooden back
Presents inscriptions
Presents faults
Measurements: 46 x 105 x 57 cm.

Chest mounted on a back wooden core with inscriptions on the lid and decoration of two-headed eagles and vegetal elements on the body. Prismatic base and vaulted lid, articulated by hinges with iron front closure.

This type of corked pieces, designed to transport objects during travels (being waterproofed thanks to the leather, they were safe from the rain), were frequent in Spain since the end of the Middle Ages, extending their use also to the American viceroyalties. However, although the typology, construction techniques and decorative motifs come from the European influence, the Peruvian heritage can be appreciated in a certain character of "horror vacui" combined with a clear compartmentalization of space.