Molded, cast and engraved silver box. Viceroyalty of Peru, Sierra or Altiplano. 17th century. Circa 1600-1625.

Moulded, cast and engraved silver box. Viceroyalty of Peru, Sierra or Altiplano. 17th century. Circa 1600-1625. 22 x 58 x 24,5 cm. 3,600 gr. Very interesting box, because its use is civil and not religious, silver for religious purposes being more common to find. In her report, Dr. Esteras wonders about its use, but ends by indicating that it is an exceptional piece "what could be deposited in it? Because of its dimensions and weight, it is unthinkable that it was a travel box intended to transport belongings (among other things because it lacks side handles to facilitate its transport), but rather we think that it was conceived as a chest to store something very valuable that was neither jewellery nor documents, but perhaps intended as a container for some silk garment (highly prized at the time) or as a hat box? It will be necessary to wait for future and new data to be able to determine if this was really its true destiny or simply the box did not have a special function, giving its owner freedom of use. There is no doubt that this box is an exceptional piece, unique in its genre and for the structural and decorative characteristics mentioned above, but above all it stands out for its good state of preservation, considering that there are few examples of silver objects for secularuse with this age and of Peruvian origin. In short, a luxury object in accordance with the taste of the trousseaux of the viceregal aristocracy.