Chest with Christian Imagery

Unknown artist

This chest's lid is decorated with an unusual portrait of a pope, most likely Sixtus V (r. 1585–90). The Old Testament tale of Abraham's expulsion of Hagar and her son, Ishmael, to appease his barren wife, Sarah, is depicted on the front of the chest. While the composition was based on European prints, the use of a screen for the background adds a Chinese flair.