Manuel Santaella, Caracas (circa 1940s)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Carlos F. Duarte, Muebles venezolanos, Siglos XVI, XVII, XVIII, Caracas, 1966, no. 95
Carlos F. Duarte, Catálogo de obras artísticas mexicanas en Venezuela, Mexico City, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Estéticas/Universidad Nacional Autónoma 🍷de México, 1ꦜ998, p. 246, no. 44, illustrated

The secondary woods are cidrella and mahogany. There hardware has been replaced and the current hardware appears to be the third set. The case is refinished. There is sun bleaching to the top and upper portions of the proper left side. The central keyhole escutcheons appear to be original. The top has nine surface plugs approximately ½ in. in diameter covering heads of nails or screws. The two board top has separated and there is a 1/8 in. crack running the width of the case that is partially filled with a 1/16 in. wide wood strip. The backboards are old but appear to be replacements. The proper right corner of the cornice is cracked with a central ½ in. diameter facial plug. There are cracks commensurate with age throughout. The proper right lower corner of the uppermost drawer has a ½ by ½ in. chip. The proper left side point is slightly compressed and blunt. There are minor patches on the bead to the drawer divider on the sides of the drawers. The proper right front foot is missing a 4 by 1 in. piece to the outermost edge and a 2 by 3/8 in. piece to the leading front edge. The proper left front foot has a 1 ½ by ¾ in. chip to the leading facial edge. There is another 1 ¾ by ½ in. chip to the proper left front foot inner edge. There are age cracks and chipping on the feet commensurate with age. There is a 4 ¾ by 1 ¼ in. triangular patch on the proper left rear corner of the top.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

With its massive proportions, undulating molded façades and remarkable cabinetry work this chest of drawers is an outstanding example of Cuban eighteenth century furniture.  The earliest form of these chests were made to store a priest's vestments and kept in the sacristy, the room adjoining the ꧋altar where Catholic priests prepare before Mass.&nbღsp; Thus these chests have attained the moniker of sacristy chests.

This chest exemplifies the Cuban baroque aesthetic with it vertically oriented cyma-curved block façade and serpentine sides, all of which are framed horizontally with a vibrant series of cascading moldings beneath the top and along the base.  This tremendous case is supported on outward scrolling feet 💦that appear as outgrowths from the immense base molding. The feet appear to defy gravity and support the chest's tremendous weight.  This feat is possible by the ingenious internal joinery of the chest which has the♛ weight supported on four internal vertical Cedrela posts that are obscured by the projecting feet.

Cuba in the eighteenth century was the main port of the Caribbean and a hub of commerce for different points in the mainland such as Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Venezuela.  Examples are found throughout the region and although these chests are referred to as Cuban, there is some discussion that some chests may be of Mexican origin; there is an example with different feet, in the Banamex collection in Mexico City. This current example comes from a Venezuelan 🍸collection and has been published as being variously Cuban and Mexican.  The minimal asymmetrical relief Rococo carving on the feet helps date this chest to the second or third quarter of the eighteenth century.

For other related examples♊ of sacristy chests see:

Michael Connors, Cuban sacristy chest of drawers, The Magazine Antiques, February 2004, pp. 67-74.

Michael Connors, Cuban Elegance, New York, Harry N. Abrams, 2004.