CARVED FRONT CHEST
THIS SOLID MAPLE CHEST WAS ADAPTED FROM A CEREMONIAL CHEST AT THE MUSEUM OF NEW MEXICO, BUT WE THINK IT’S AN ECLECTIC TOUCH AND A CLEAN OVERALL FORM THAT CAN’T EASILY BE CLASSIFIED. WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THIS PIECE IS OBVIOUSLY MADE BY HUMAN HANDS.
The design of this solid maple chest was adapted from a ceremonial chest at the Museum of New Mexico, but we think it’s an eclectic touch and a clean overall form that can’t easily be classified. The hand-carved elements—pomegranate, rosette and lion—are symbols used since Byzantine times. Pomegranates represent eternity and fertility because of their hundreds of seeds. Lions mean strength, valor and courage. The rosette connotes royalty. Regardless of those meanings, we appreciate the fact that this piece is obviously made by human hands. It has soul.