comprised of a deep chest with hinged lid with two short drawers below, inlaid throughout with a fine lattice of ivory fillets, some engraved and some stained green and held in place by small brass pins, the top with a central floral medallion with three concentric rings of radial petals flanked by two vases issuing floral and vegetal scrolls, the borders with zoomorphic scrollwork and four cornerpieces with crowned double-headed eagles, the sides and front with ensuite decoration, with gilt-bronze handles, hinges and lockplates, the back plain, on ivory-inlaid ebonised carved wood elephant supports probably contemporary, some later alterations to the borders

In generally very good order, crack across the top, old alterations to the borders with new wood strips with raised ivory studs, minor losses, as viewed.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A similar, almost identical chest is in the Museo Colonial e Histórico de Luján in Argentina, see A. Taullard, El Mueble Colonial Sudamericano, Buenos Aires, 1944, no. 204.

A folding games-board with comparable inlaid decoration is in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem (inv. No. AE85560), attributed by Pedro Moura Carvalho to "Malabar Coast, late 17th century" (see P. M. Carvalho, Luxury for Export. Artistic Exchange Between India and Portugal around 1600, Boston, 2008, pp.54-55, no.12).

P. M. Carvalho writes: "The eagle motif, probably derived from the insignia of the Augustinian religious order, established in Goa in 1572, became popular in Indo-Portuguese arts; it was reproduced in several pieces of furniture and embroidered textiles [such as a textile in the Museo Nacional de Arte Antigua, Lisbon, inv. no. 2282]" (ibid. pp. 55 and 68).