Wooden Chest: Detail from the Setúbal Altarpiece, 1520-1530 AD

Simple wooden chests for storing and transporting personal possessions were one of the two or three basic pieces of furniture in Medieval times. This chest has decorative elaboration in the form of feet linked by a panel cut out in imitation of the cusped, or scalloped, surround of a Medieval Gothic-style window. The curious looking lock arrangement, with a bolt fastening down over the top of the lid onto the face of the lock mechanism, is a common one on older chests.