Medicine Chest

17th-18th century

Domestic medicine chests were popular with nobility in the 18th century, although not all were as large or elaborate as this object. Besides holding and keeping expensive medicines safe, chests like this one were used for storing jewelry and other valuables. Many medicine chests commissioned by nobility were one of a kind creations, made from rare woods and precious metals. Interior lids were sometimes painted with pastoral scenes or iconic imagery.This chest is said to have belonged to Madame la Cometesse Giech whose family lived and ruled Thurnau, Bavaria, from 1695 to 1796.