Chests are among the oldest pieces in the history of furniture.
They were not only used for storing a wide range of different
goods, but they could also be used as tables, seats or even
beds. They were to be found in their largest numbers in
16th and 17th-century inventories, displaying a variety of
techniques, forms and decorations that revealed different
aesthetic and cultural influences, and offering a range of
interpretations that went far beyond the simple object itself.
A good example is provided by this exceptional chest made
of Brazilian rosewood and vinhatico, displaying gilt brass
mounts that evoke clear oriental influences.