Manila Trade Galleon Chest

The Manila Galleon refers to the Spanish trading ships of the spice route between Manila and Acapulco. For more than 250 years, Spanish galleons sailed along the Manila-Acapulco spice route twice yearly—their hull's filled to capacity with goods to be sold to New World colonists, and profits returned to the Spanish crown. Sturdy hand carved chests made from Asian grown Narra Mahogany ensured their valuable contents would remain safe and secure during the four-month Pacific journey.

These unique armada boxes were often chip-carved in the Spanish colonial style. so distinguishing them from other colonial chests can be confusing. The hallmarks of Manila trade craftsmanship are manifested in both the style of carving, and the iconography. Represented in the example offered here, elaborate rosettes, pinwheel designs, and a pair of tropical birds flanking the lock plate, all point back to the Philippines, clues that are further augmented by a wood species native to Pacific Asia. Circa 1700 - 1750. 

With the exception of the shoe feet, likely added sometime in the 19th century, the chest is entirely original. 

Dimensions: 30 inches wide x 18 inches deep x 19 inches high. 

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