Honestly no idea

Hi,

I recently bought this (I think? )old Spanish trunk, does anybody have any idea on it's history or how are the 2 faces on it ? I'm really interested to know, hopefully somebody can help me out here !

 

Hi,
Nice trunk but I doubt if it is old. There is no wear to it that I can see. Back in the late 50s and early 60s Spanish things began to gather interest. Depends on where you are located.
greg

 

Hi Greg,

I'm located in Spain. It def. has some wear... but not clearly seen in the pictures. I took a few pictures of the wear, have a look attached.

 

Interesting piece and I do think Spanish. I think this has some age. Would think Pre WWII and my gut says more like 1930 give or take. A look at the interior and bottom might help

 

Yes, very Spanish in style, and I'm with Brad, certainly pre WWII.
The faces are probably famous people from Spanish history. The strange thing is that they have no beards. All famous Spaniards that I know of from the period from which the helmets date, like Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, are depicted with beards.
Maybe someone knows which beardless heroes I am missing?

 

Hi Verybrad,

Thanks for your comment. I attached pictures of inside and the bottom. You can see those rusty nails... looks old to me (no expert). I would really like to know who are these 2 faces on front... I thought they would be maybe spanish conquestadors ?

 

Right period. But no beards?

 

I attached 2 pictures of trunks that have some similarity. First seems to be built the same way (same lock) , other has also 2 faces on it (one without beard). Maybe it helps.

 

Hi Walter,
Thank for the extra photos does have more age than I first thought. It is such a nice shape to be that old. The guy on the right look more Morrish than Spanish. If conquistadors I would expect more armor and beards.
greg

 

The carving looks Colonial to me, not Spanish. I would think México as more likely source. Take a close look at this Renaissance-inspired head, for instance. Doesn't appear to be European, nor is it very finely carved. That would lead me to believe your chest is newer, rather than older. Tell us... Where did you buy this in Spain?

Debora

 

Hi Debora,

I bought it second hand from a seller who didn't knew anything about it either. He picked it up a long time ago in an old warehouse. All he told me that there used to be a closet with it with the same heads on it. He told me that some antigue guy really wanted it but as he was family he didn't let it go. I don't know what to believe of all this but he seemed honest about it. I'm on the coast of Spain between Valencia and Alicante.

 

I see woodworm holes,so its definitely got some age. My knee jerk when I 1st saw it was Mexican as well,those sure look like Aztec type heads? Since Spain and Mexico have a history,its not impossible to think it came from there at some point. I think its more 1880s give or take a few years,but thats just conjecture.

 

I uploaded some better headshots and of the lock... maybe it makes it a bit more clear.

 

Agreed, it seems made to look old to me, not only the carving but hardware/nails as well, absolutely not a 16th -17th century chest.

 

I'm no furniture expert but my first impulse was "old and made to look older" Spanish Colonial. This sort of thing was white hot here in the USA in the late 60s, but petered out quickly. My guess is this was made in Mexico and someone took it home as a souvenir or as part of his/her household goods.

 

Ok thanks for your reactions. If anybody can clear up especially the faces or the helmets on the furniture would be great. Not sure about being a souvenir I would be able to find more similar chests I would say... It's also quite big being 1.20 long

 

Does somebody know if it's oak or walnut ? I think it's one of these ?

 

I may be wrong but... I think those conquistador heads pretty much only appear on Spanish Renaissance Revival furniture. Someone welcome to prove me wrong.

Debora

 

AKA Spanish Inquisition revival.. dark and dungeon-ish..

 

Some kind of pine/cedar.