Large and Richly Carved 17th Century Walnut and Oak Trunk From Spain

Description

A beautiful and robust Spanish trunk, the carvings on the front façade are large and vibrant, accented by a deep … more A beautiful and robust Spanish trunk, the carvings on the front façade are large and vibrant, accented by a deep brown patina. The trunk was hand-carved in the 1600s by a master craftsman, using both oak and walnut woods. Large dovetail joineries, visible on the sides, add character to the trunk, without taking away from the magnificent carvings.

Two large, pierced iron straps support the massive trunk lid, which is embellished with several thin moldings. Both sides have an ovate handle affixed by a pierced floral mount, above an arbalete apron. The sinuosity continues on the front apron, but in more dramatic fashion, with a series of counter curves. Above the apron is a raised area (also seen on the sides) adorned with a winged angel mascaron inside of a shaped console, flanked by a large rosette atop a vine that is surrounded by a foliate border. A similar foliate carving can be seen on the recessed section of the façade, encircling another well-carved cartouche. The upper scene consists of a heart surmounting flowering leaves (beneath a shaped escutcheon), flanked by a pair of niches filled with sunbursts over flowering vines, which are in turn flanked by larger sunbursts personified with a mascaron center. All four sunbursts are incorporated with a cross, which, when depicted with the heart, symbolizes “love for all mankind”.

Our richly carved Spanish trunk would make a wonderful addition to any bedroom as a blanket or linen chest. At 31 inches tall, the trunk could also be used as a console or sofa table, allowing for decorative accessories to be placed on top. less