Chest
Author: Unknown
Date: 17th century, beginning
Material: Silver and tortoiseshell
Dimensions (cm): H 15 x W 28,5
Provenance: Unknown
Inventory No.: MAS O 159
This chest is made of tortoise scutes nailed with motifs in the shape of flowers, which provides it with great originality. The handle, placed at the centre of the cover, has the shape of two opposite lizards.
After the 16th century, with the discovery of the sea route to India, silverware received influences and precious metals were brought from the lands the Portuguese arrived to.
The reason for the existence of this type of chests is that they were used in the past as reliquary chests or Repositories for the Blessed Sacrament in the ceremonies of Holy Week.