Chest of Drawers (cómoda)

Authors

Cindy Perdomo

Files

Year Completed

2021

Abstract

Cindy Perdomo, VCU Interior Design MFA 2023, selected the Chest of Drawers (Cómoda) for the 2021 Colonialism And The Americas, Object Analysis Project.

The French and English trade with Cuba influenced Cuban furniture during the eighteenth century. Cuba was influenced by the Spanish plateresque style which was influenced by the French baroque. During the British occupation in 1741 Havana residents had the ability to purchase consumer goods from British merchants. The sacristy room holds the vestments and sacred objects used in the services. In Cuba, the elites would commission cabinet makers from the island to create a smaller sacristy chest for their private chapels and urban mansions. These extravagant chests would mimic the grand ostentatious pieces of the future built into the church’s walls.

Object Name

Chest of Drawers (Comoda)

Function

to hold precious objects

Material(s)

mahogany, cedar, silver hardware

Maker

unknown

Place of Origin

Cuba

Cultural Connections

Spain

Time Period

1750 - 1800

Current Location (Museum Collection)

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Disciplines

Interior Design

Department

VCU Arts Dept. of Interior Design

Date of Submission

12-7-2021