Small 17th Century Italian Carved Walnut Wood Cassone

A beautiful and robust Spanish trunk, the carvings on the front façade are large and vibrant, accented by a deep brown patina. The trunk was hand-carved in the 1600s by a master craftsman, using both oak and walnut woods. Large dovetail joineries, visible on the sides, add character to the trunk, without taking away from the magnificent carvings. Two large, pierced iron straps support the massive trunk lid, which is embellished with several thin moldings. Both sides have an ovate handle affixed by a pierced floral mount, above an arbalete apron. The sinuosity continues on the front apron, but in more dramatic fashion, with a series of counter curves. Above the apron is a raised area (also seen on the sides) adorned with a winged angel mascaron inside of a shaped console, flanked by a large rosette atop a vine that is surrounded by a foliate border. A similar foliate carving can be seen on the recessed section of the façade, encircling another well-carved cartouche. The upper scene consists of a heart surmounting flowering leaves (beneath a shaped escutcheon), flanked by a pair of niches filled with sunbursts over flowering vines, which are in turn flanked by larger sunbursts personified with a mascaron center. All four sunbursts are incorporated with a cross, which, when depicted with the heart, symbolizes “love for all mankind”. Our richly carved Spanish trunk...

Based on the facing portrait cartouches on the front facade, this chest was most likely presented to a couple for their wedding in 17th-century Northern France. The oak wood has a deep brown patina that accentuates the hand-carved frontage, depicting a man (on the left) facing a woman (on the right), surrounded by scrolls and a sprawling foliate margent. A quarter-round edge embellishes the lid, which can be opened to reveal deep storage, including a 5 ½ inch tall side compartment. Several thin layers of molding can be seen on the low profile apron above small bracket feet. A chest like this would have been offered as a wedding dowry, most likely commissioned by the parents of the bride or possibly even by the husband himself. The chest would have been used to store valuables for the couple’s new life together, with the wrought iron handles on the sides allowing the chest to be easily transported. Our 17th-century wedding chest can be used functionally as a small storage chest for a bedroom or bathroom or displayed as a well-carved room...

More information coming soon… The rich carvings of this French walnut trunk depict allegories for winter (Hibernus) and summer (Æstas). Carved figures accompanying each season are ...

Whereas many pieces of furniture during the Italian Renaissance were heavily painted or inlaid with decorative motifs, French examples utilized hand-sculpted elements as the predomin...

A handsome wide Italian walnut Cassone. Intricately carved gothic style narrative carvings on the front along the side, bottom, and center. Rich patinated burnt umber color wood fini...

Add a touch of elegance to your home decor with this beautiful Italian carved walnut coffer. The modern style of this box makes it a perfect addition to any room in your home. The wa...

Stunning 1700's, 18th C.Antique Large, Italian Renaissance Style, Carved, Walnut Cassone, Chest! Antique Cassone, Marriage Chest, Coffer, Large, Italian Renaissance Style, Carved, W...

Lovely antique Italian cassone sits on two clawed lion’s feet and a moulded base, detailed carved front freize and corners. Hinged lid. Beautiful patina and great condition. This be...