Antique Salt Cedar Chest, Hand Carved Painted Spanish Red Cross Galleon Ships

A scarce 300-year-old Spanish Colonial period leather clad and carved travel chest with beautifully aged patina. circa 1725 Born in the first half o...

This antique chest is unique and beautiful, likely handmade in the Nuristan province of northeast Afghanistan. We estimate it to be crafted in the late 19th to early 20th century. It was built from wood using traditional wedged mortise and tenon joinery, indicating its origin. The front panel is richly adorned with hand-chiseled tribal motifs of stars and flowers. The surface of the wood is beautifully textured. Its natural patina perfectly suits the wabi-sabi aesthetic—celebrating imperfection, timeworn beauty, and authenticity. The chest’s tribal design feels raw yet sophisticated, combining ancient craftsmanship with a timeless sense of modernity. This handmade piece would integrate beautifully into a variety of interiors: it can ground a minimalist or contemporary space with its earthy authenticity, lend soulful warmth to a wabi-sabi-inspired room, and enrich eclectic, bohemian, or globally curated environments. Its strong, geometric lines and understated ornamentation make it highly adaptable, whether used as a statement entryway chest...