Live Auction 2853Latin American Art
Anonymous (South American, late 18th century)
Lot 72

Anonymous (South American, late 18th century)

Coquera

Closed28 May 2014

Price Realised

USD 16,250

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Anonymous (South American, late 18th century)
Coquera
Finely carved box (coquera) with silver clasp, standing on 4 feet detailed with silver winged-male figures; the exterior with wood inlays of floral motifs; the front panel of the lower portion with two men in feathered-headdresses standing flanking the clasp at center. The lid opens, double-hinged at back.
8 x 11¼ x 21 in. (20.3 x 28.5 x 53.3 cm.)

Private collection, New Mexico, circa 1970.

Specialist note

Coqueras, or coca boxes, were traditionally used to store coca leaves, commonly chewed in mountainous regions of South America. Yerba maté and sweets were also frequently stored in coqueras. The handsome woodwork on the present lot suggests that it was produced by the Jesuit missions in Bolivia or the north of Argentina at the end of the 18th century.