What is a cassone and what was its purpose?

A cassone is a multifunctional piece of furniture that emerged during the Italian Renaissance. With its low boxy shape and sturdy construction, the piece worked as a bench. It also doubled as a storage chest. Unmarried Italian women often used them as marriage chests to hold household items they would one day use in their new homes. On 1stDibs, find a range of cassone chests.