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Lot Essay
The form of this chest or contador is one which was often reproduced under Portuguese patronage in India. The Western inspiration behind the form is that of a 17th century European cabinet on stand.
The pattern of intersecting circles that covers the surfaces is closely comparable to a similar cabinet in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Amin Jaffer, Luxury Goods from India, London, 2002, no. 22, pp. 58-9, inv.777-1865). It is a commonly reproduced motif and can also be found on a small cabinet in Lisbon (Jorge Floresa dn Nuno Vassallo e Silva (eds.), Goa and the Great Mughal (exhibition catalogue), Lisbon, 2004, p.111, cat.117). Jaffer writes of the pattern that it is also found on articles commissioned by the Portuguese in other parts of Asia - for instance on the namban lacquer of Japan (Jaffer, op. cit., p. 58). The sculptural treatment of the legs on this cabinet, and others of the group is particularly distinctive. They typically assume the form of a woman with her lower body scaled like a sea serpent. Scholars have identified these with nagas and naginis - Hindu snake divinities that are considered auspicious in the area and are believed to provide protection from dangers, including snake bites.
A related chest with similar female/serpent carved supports was sold, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, Christie's London, 31 March 2009, lot 218 (£49,250).
The pattern of intersecting circles that covers the surfaces is closely comparable to a similar cabinet in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Amin Jaffer, Luxury Goods from India, London, 2002, no. 22, pp. 58-9, inv.777-1865). It is a commonly reproduced motif and can also be found on a small cabinet in Lisbon (Jorge Floresa dn Nuno Vassallo e Silva (eds.), Goa and the Great Mughal (exhibition catalogue), Lisbon, 2004, p.111, cat.117). Jaffer writes of the pattern that it is also found on articles commissioned by the Portuguese in other parts of Asia - for instance on the namban lacquer of Japan (Jaffer, op. cit., p. 58). The sculptural treatment of the legs on this cabinet, and others of the group is particularly distinctive. They typically assume the form of a woman with her lower body scaled like a sea serpent. Scholars have identified these with nagas and naginis - Hindu snake divinities that are considered auspicious in the area and are believed to provide protection from dangers, including snake bites.
A related chest with similar female/serpent carved supports was sold, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, Christie's London, 31 March 2009, lot 218 (£49,250).