A scarce fine 300-year-old Spanish Colonial era hand carved & leather clad cedar travel chest / coffer, with warm rich dark honey colored patina. circa 1725 A rare and wonderful piece of history, this extraordinary, well-preserved museum quality example is full of character and charm, sure to add elegant warmth, depth, and rich historical interest to any space! Handmade in the first half of the 18th century, likely present day Mexico / Latin America, exceptionally executed in period Baroque taste, this smaller-scale chest would have been used by one of the early European colonist / settler's to store their valuables as they explored the New World (America's). Featuring a profusely decorated hand carved solid wood cedar case with visible hand-cut dovetail joinery construction, having a domed hinged lift-top lid wrapped in leather and embellished with varied nailhead tack trim, the rectangular case adorned in elaborate geometric and pinwheel rosette spoon-chip carving ornamentation, retaining the original hand forged iron hardware. Dimensions: (approx) 13.5" High, 18" Wide, 10.5" Deep; 10.75 lb Condition: A superb museum quality example, in highly desirable original unrestored antique condition. Well preserved, it presents well, with beautifully aged warm rustic heavily worn distressed patina. Wear consistent with authentic age, use, handling and exposure, including scattered nicks, abrasions, accretions, losses. Strong, sturdy, stable, structurally sound. --- authentic original antiques strong box valuable storage coin safe dresser petite marriage immigrant trunk steamer traveling luggage lift-top paneled blanket chest casket large oversized table box wooden bible box tabletop cabinet floor accent rustic European old world influenced design primitive country American folk art Hacienda Southwest style decor decorative arts period furniture