17th century armada chest with 9 bolts

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by fernando

"Caixas de açucar" are a totally different culture; not the safe coffer sense but a transportation means. These cases were active from the XV to the XIX centuries, and their name comes from their use to transport sugar from the colonies. Soon their dimensions were 'standardized' and they also became sugar measure units of multiple sizes, the larger ones reaching large proportions (15 arrobas or arratels x 15 Kilos = 225 Kilos). They were made of various fine woods which, during the XVII century, were 'recycled' by cabinetmakers to make fashionable furniture, the so called "mobília caixa de açucar".

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Salaams ~ When the Portuguese were finally eased out of Muscat in 1650... they left behind a lot of heavy furniture in the shape of chests which as you rightly point out were the huge heavy sugar boxes which were used for all sorts of purposes ...storing silver and spices as well as sugar... Some ended up on the Fort gun lines at Muscat and Sohar whilst others were carted inland to the Jebel Akhdar region etc... I used to own about 100 such artefacts and was amazed on only finding about 6 in the Museums in Portugal. Some had 2, 3 or 5 drawers in them and occasionally a chest of drawers would turn up ...i.e. all drawers.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.