Rosewood Portuguese Colonial Malabar Chest

A captivating piece of history - the Portuguese colonial "Malabar chest." This distinctive chest showcases both ornamental beauty and reinforced craftsmanship through its flattened brass cusps elegantly placed along all sides. The front is adorned with a charming brass escutcheon, while a central vase gives life to curvaceous leafy tendrils, culminating in flowers and pendulous fruit carvings. These unique motifs are believed to depict indigenous breadfruit, native to the Malabar region.

The back and sides are adorned with intricate Portuguese-inspired geometric carvings, complemented by brass carrying handles. As an authentic relic, the chest carries the marks of time with age-related cracks and wear, lending it a sense of character and authenticity. Notably, one brass handle has been replaced, attesting to its enduring utility.