拍品專文
With its front closed the exterior of this box, of plain dark wood with robust iron fittings, appears rather spartan. However, once opened it is clear that this was intended to impress with the face of each drawer painstakingly inlaid. A wide and shallow upper drawer gives a hint at the purpose of the box as it was doubtless for containing a set of scales. Hidden cavities and secret drawers only accessible through the back of the main drawers give further clues that this was a travelling jeweller’s work chest. Lockable, portable (the side handles no doubt intended for straps), and with secret compartments for safely concealing the most valuable materials, the chest is both highly functional yet impressive when open. Another very similar Ottoman jeweller’s box was sold in these Rooms, 8 April 2008.