Mid 19th Century
Narra, Kamagong & Silver
H:49 1/2” x L:65” x W:24" (126 cm x 165 cm x 61 cm)

Provenance:
Provincial Origin

This unusually large narra comoda shows strong Spanish influence in its form and decoration. It stands on four turned spoolfeet supporting a massive base with a wide skirt in the shape of an inverted pediment in front. On the frame above each foot is a free-standing kamagong colonnette with vase-shaped turned bases and capitals. The reeded shafts of those in front are square, while those of the rear are turned.

The door and drawer frames of the cabinet are inset with bead and reel molding, giving an Iberian look to the piece. Two doors with turned kamagong door pulls have wide and thick moldings that are beaded on the inner side. They frame panels carved with a circle surrounding a large pinwheel with a squash-shaped carving in full relief at the center. The boss at its center is decorated with a silver plate engraved with the initials CV. The pinwheel design is usually found in sala doors of that era. The keyhole has a silver shield.

Above the doors are three drawers, a wide one at the center flanked by smaller drawers. Each has silver keyhole shields as well as two turned kamagong drawer pulls capped by a multi-lobed silver plate decorated at the edges with crudely executed ’ysod’ or wriggle-work engraving. The primitive quality of the engraving betrays its provincial origin. Above each front colonette is a small, deep drawer also decorated with beading and a single turned drawer pull with a silver cap. The drawers were used for storing candles.