Cupboard

This work simulates a cupboard, located in a niche, inside which two boards have been fitted as shelves, covered by a glass sheet held in place by a narrow wooden frame, with a lock in the center of the left jamb from which some keys are hanging. On the bottom shelf are ranged objects of indigenous, Chinese and Spanish origin. Pertaining to the first of these cultures is a tompeate or palm-leaf basket, some gourds for drinking chocolate, one of which sits atop a hammered-copper chocolate pot and the other behind it, as well as a carved coconut shell with silver trimmings, also used for drinking chocolate. From China, there is a blue and white porcelain plate, while the chocolate jar, the glass and the bottles are of Spanish origin. The middle shelf holds two silver plates with scalloped edges, in front of which there are four cylindrical wooden boxes for cajeta (Mexican caramelized-milk confection) or some other type of confiture. In the center there are two small loaves of wheat bread behind which there stands a honey pot, covered with a clothe from which a spoon handle is protruding and lastly, on the right, there is a keg that might contain olives or some other sort of pickled food covered with a plate. The top shelf holds series of objects associated with the arts: book and notes, stringed instruments, a palette and some brushes, a sculpture and a saw. This piece passed to the MUNAL from the San Diego Viceregal Painting Gallery in the year 2000.