Description:

New World, Spanish Colonial, from Tecali, near Puebla, Mexico, ca. 17th century CE. A stunning, unique box, made from two thick pieces of alabaster carved to form a dome-lidded chest. A trio of thin openwork cast iron decorative bands wrap around the lid; a cast iron locking mechanism is on the front of the lower part, though it may be decorative rather than functional as the latch does not connect. What treasures might this beautiful box once have held? It would have belonged to an elite Spaniard living in the second largest city in colonial Mexico who may have kept precious letters or jewelry within its stone walls. Size: 7" W x 4.6" H (17.8 cm x 11.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-Schilling collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#153062

  • Condition: The lid has been repaired from multiple pieces. There are a few small nicks, chips, and scratches to the stone, especially from the peripheries. Small losses to the iron components, which all have a rich patina. Light deposits on the interior. The lock is not functional (but it appears that it was always decorative rather than functional).

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February 13, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000