A Mahogany Sacristy Chest (Cómoda de Sacristía), Cuba, Circa 1765

For further illustrations and a discussion of Cuban sacristy commodes, see:

Michael Connors, "Cuban Elegance", Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 2004, pp. 69, 76-7, 82-88

Michael Connors, "The Eighteenth-Century Cuban Sacristy Chest of Drawers", The Magazine Antiques, February 2004, pp. 66

The use of dense mahogany and cedar (Cedrela odorata) in the construction of the present chest, in conjunction with shaped corners and flared feet with distinctly baroque scrollwork, relate to Cuban sacristy commodes of the 18th century. While such commodes were strongly influenced by European baroque stylistic trends, the present lot also betrays the more restrained linearity of English furniture of the period, suggesting a date after the British occupation of Cuba in 1762.

Large chests of drawers to hold liturgical vestments and objects were often constructed as part of the wall fittings in sacristies in 18th-century Cuba in a European baroque style, and this spurred a fashion for private individuals to commission free-standing commodes in a similar style for their own residences.

Almost identical examples of Cuban sacristy commodes are in the Denver Art Museum (accession number 2019.64), Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Museo de la Ciudad, Havana, the Museo de la Obra Pia, Havana and the Casa de Diego Velázquez, Santiago de Cuba.