Important Italian Renaissance Polychrome Chest with Coat-of-Arms

This Italian walnut chest called « cassone » is shaped as an antic sarcophagus. The beautiful patina and the plain lid bring to the fore the facade richly ornated with vegetal motifs...

ORIGIN : ITALY, TUSCANY PERIOD : 16th CENTURY DIMENSIONS : Height : 73 cm Length : 180 cm Depth: 57 cm Good condition Walnut wood This significant Florentine cassone in the shape of a sarcophagus features a beautiful front panel flanked at the corners by two mascarons surrounded by voluted acanthus leaves. It rests on two lion's paw feet at the front. The decoration includes a beautiful frieze of scales at the bottom, which continues on the sides. Above this, in the center, a scrollwork cartouche once bore coats of arms. On either side, there is an abundant vegetal decor with vine branches and sumptuous grape clusters. The domed top lid is adorned around its edge with a wide frieze featuring a scale motif, harmoniously matching the lower cornice. This beautiful cassone is interesting for several reasons. The choice of ornamentation is not random. Grapes have numerous meanings and are often associated with fertility, especially when represented on a wedding cassone...

A late-16th Century, Museum Quality, Italian Walnut & Fruitwood Marquetry Marriage Chest with a Coat of Arms & Retaining Traces of the Original Gilded Decoration - Exceptionally rar...

This solid walnut chest features high-relief carvings, including helmet, quiver, arrow, and scroll motifs. The central portion of the front panel depicts a battle scene with several ...