A rare Spanish Gothic carved walnut chest of drawers 16th/17th century

the whole carved with panels of linenfold, the small central drawer with a secret drawer, the back with a paper label inscribed in ink Grasa Calvario 5 Barbastro; minor restorations

Old marks, chips, scratches and gouges commensurate with age. There are some old minor restorations and replacements e.g. but not exclusively to the front left corner and more sustantial ones to the feet which have been heightened. There has also been replacements to part of the rear legs, but this is only visible when viewed from behind. There are also some dark areas possibly minor burn marks to areas of the linenfold panel on the side. Some minor sections missing from the iron escutcheons which are hardly noticeable. There is evidence of a previous division inside the top left drawer. A very rare piece with attractive patina in overall good conserved condition and can be placed immediately.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
L. Feduchi, El Meuble Espagnol, Barcelona, 1969, p.66, fig. 36, p. 72, fig. 40.

Most early furniture during the Gothic period served a religious purpose and often chests at this time were of a very crude construction carved with linenfold panelling, see for example a chest in the Palace of Perelada, Gerona, illustrated by Feduchi, op. cit., p. 66, fig. 36. The same author also illustrates op. cit., p. 72, fig. 40, a linenfold carved cupboard in the Museum of Decorative Arts, Madrid.  
This chest of drawers carved with linenfold is a rare example of a chest which would have been used for the storage of Church vestements known as a comoda-casullera in Spain and a  chasublière in France.

In the ritual of mass, clothing and other items conformed to a calendar system dictating what colours could be worn during the religious year. For example, white, the symbol of purity, was worn on days devoted to Christ; black for leading a mass for the dead or on Good Friday; and red, which signifies the Blood of Christ, was worn on days devoted to the apostles, martyrs and the Holy Spirit. This called for practical organisation and made the comoda-casullera an essential piece of furniture. Copes and stoles were laid out flat in the large drawers to prevent creasing, while the small, locked drawer held valuable or sacred items.

This rare piece is the prototype for the domestic commode.The upper section has three drawers; the smallest one can be locked and conceals a secret compartment. The two lower drawers occupy the width of the chest. Each side of the chest, including the back, features tripartite panels, with those on the front and sides carved with linenfold decoration. In addition, horizontal linenfold panels also appear on the front and sides. The frame, panels and drawers are all constructed from individual sections of solid walnut, a typically Spanish feature of the period.

A similar chest is in the Cloisters, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.