DARK BROWN RECTANGULAR WOODEN CHEST HAS A HINGED TOP LID. MAIN COMPARTMENT HAS A SMALLER COMPARTMENT COVERED W/ A HINGED LID. BOTTOM OF COMPARTMENT PULLS OUT TO REVEAL HIDDEN STORAGE BENEATH. THERE'RE ALSO 3 DRAWERS IN THE FRONT. CHEST HAS A CENTER ORNATE LATCH & 2 U-SHAPED HANDLES, ONE ON EACH SIDE. EACH DRAWER HAS A SIMILAR U-SHAPED HANDLE. TOP OF LID, FRONT SIDE OF CHEST, & FRONT OF EACH DRAWER ARE COVERED W/ ELABORATE CURVILINEAR DESIGN MADE FROM ROUND BRASS TACKS & CUT-OUT BRASS SHEETINGS. CONDITIONS: LATCH IS PARTLY BROKEN. BRASS SHEETINGS ARE CURLED BACK. DRAWERS ARE WARPED & DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT. CORROSION IN CERTAIN AREAS. CENTER DRAWER IS MISSING PART OF ITS BRASS DECORATION. PART OF THE LID TRIM HAS BROKEN INTO 5 PIECES. OVERALL: DUSTY & CRACKED IN AREAS. ACCORDING TO DR. MARY JO ARNOLDI, CURATOR OF AFRICAN ETHNOLOGY, NMNH, THIS CHEST IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF COASTAL STYLE CARPENTRY.
From African Voices exhibit: "Women would have stored prized family linens, blankets, and clothing in this decorative chest."
