16th Century Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

A large, museum-quality, late-16th century, cedar, Venetian, cassone on its original stand ; the sea creature ornament probably drawn from De la Cosmographie Universelle, livre III, engraving 1550-1568 • This is the only, known, cassone of this type retaining its original stand. • The collection in Italy that it originally came from was a palazzo that it had reputedly been in for generations of the same family and this most likely why the stand has survived. • The decoration is very unusual, and delightful in the array of sea creatures depicted. The connection of the region with the sea is very strong. • The inner lid is very practical and can be used for display or serving. The interior offers masses of storage space which is particularly suitable for textiles being cedar which repels moths. • The cassone is a beautiful, rich colour and has developed a lustrous patina. • The cassone is Illustrated & discussed in discussed in ‘Woods in British Furniture Making’, (Bowett) c13 Provenance: Private collection, Mayorca. Private collection, Italy Related to: Cassone in V&A collection, no 4886-1858 Width 177 cm., 70 in., Height 87 cm., 34 ½ in. Depth 68 cm. 26 ½ in. With lid open 155 cm., 61 in “Late 16th and 17th century, London inventories confirm that cypress wood chests were relatively common in prosperous households. In 1598 there was a cypress chest in the hall of John Mason, a vintner, valued at 50 shillings. It was the most expensive piece of furniture in the house. Similarly there was a ‘fair cypress chest’ in the great chamber of Adrian Moore, haberdasher, in 1618, and a cypress chest worth £ 9 in the hall of Thomas Willis, a clotherworker in 1630. The chests were sometimes described as ‘great’ or ‘small’ but not otherwise described – presumably they were familiar to the compilers of the inventories. They were placed in halls, chambers and parlours, places where they would have been on prominent view. It is noteworthy that only the chests were imported and not, apparently, the wood. “ (p282, Cypress, Woods in British Furniture making) The decoration is very unusual, and delightful in the array of sea creatures depicted. The connection of the region with the sea is very strong. I have never seen one of these chests on its original stand. The collection in Italy that it came from was a palazzo that it had reputedly been in for generations of the same family and this most likely why the stand has survived. In practical terms, the stand makes the chest a comfortable height to use. The exterior of the chest is a beautiful, mellow colour and has developed a lustrous patina. The top comprises three planks faced with a shallow, cleated, moulded edge nailed on. The front retains its original hasp and lockplate and, as is commonly found, the lock has been removed but, unusually the original ring hinges have survived. The top opens to reveal an inner lid with ring hinges and a brass ring, revealing a large open storage compartment below, the bottom lined with an old fabric. The underside of the lid retains its original penwork and pierced decoration. The central panel depicts sea creatures, sharks, flatfish, monster fish, sea horses, Neptune and mermaids, probably drawn from De la Cosmographie Universelle, livre III, engraving 1550-1568. The panels either side depicting a crown, the sun and unicorns amongst stylised floral sprays. The surrounding naive penwork border features repeats of three naked ladies in the sea, a man wearing an animal mask with two dogs in a forest and a huntsman with two dogs. The floor of the inside of the cassone is upholstered in an 18th century red and yellow striped woven textile the colours of the Catalan flag. The front is decorated with pierced, silhouettes of beasts, trees and figures. The sides are plain with iron carrying handles. On its original stand, with similar decoration, and bearing a cartouche which would have been decorated with the arms of its original owner. Italian, last quarter of the 16th century. Condition Report : Old repair to bottom left moulding of top. Some hairline cracks to top. The hasp, lockplate and ring hinges are original, the lock has been removed. Handles probably 18th century. The inner lid was probably added in the 18th century and supporting mechanism in the 19th century. Exceptional original, lustrous colour and patina. Measures: Width 177 cm. 70 in., height 87 cm. 34 ½ in., depth 68 cm. 26 ½ in. The cassone was the principal piece of furniture in 16th century, Italy. These chests were made as bridal gifts for nobles and aristocrats from cedar specifically for storing their much prized and valued hangings, clothing and linens, as the wood repels moths and the sweet fragrance delicately scents fabrics. Consquently the cassone, as in this example might be decorated with the family coat of arms or with depictions of virtue and edifying episodes from the Bible. A young woman could not be allowed to enter marriage without some instruction. Later, many cassoni were taken apart so that the decorated front panel could be hung as a painting. The stand of this cassone has a cartouche that would have contained a painted coat of arms in the centre which shows that it was conceived for a noble family. Such cypress or cedar chests, incised in bas relief and pyrographically engraved, have long been associated with Venice and typically have a naïve decoration on the exterior. Literature: The 'cypress chests' containing 'arras, counterpoints, costely apparel, tents, and canopies, fine linen, Turkey cushions...

The relief of folded cloths was common in the Gothic furniture, coming from Flanders in the 15th century and used in Spain in a common way well into the 16th century, although 17th c...

This standing chest is of clamp-front construction, extensively decorated with long, ironwork straps with quatrefoil finials which ‘wrap’ around it, and has an ornate, central lockplate, and front legs with full, height stiles. The ironwork straps and finials are fixed with convex, headed nails: running along the front, five long straps; the two side straps; and the five straps on the top. On the chest front, centrally placed, is a large, iron lockplate with four outer, radiating spade finals in each corner and three, superimposed spade finials (a symbol of nobility) which are pierced with the initials ‘BB’. The lockplate receives a corresponding, external hasp fitted to the lid. Below the floor of the chest, the two front stile legs retain most of their original height. The lid is supported by substantial iron strap hinges that extend right down the back of the chest. Inside the chest at the left end is a shallow, oak till. Construction The chest is of joined, 'clamp-front' construction, reinforced by the nailed, iron mounts. In total it uses ten, oak boards which were riven and planed. The back and front are each formed from a large single plank held to the full height stiles by long, pegged tenons. The sides are also single boards joined into the stiles using long tenons held by dowels, and extend down below the chest bottom, concealing the ends of the bottom boards. The bottom consists of a single board cut into the sides and shallow rebates in the stiles. The front and back boards are dowelled into the bottom boards. The lid which overhangs the sides has a narrow cleat at each end, and consists of one wide plank which has bowed a little as a result of shrinkage. Ironwork : The wrought ironwork straps, lockplate, hasp and lock all appear all appear to be early, and of the same original manufacture and are fixed with convex headed nails. There is mild dark staining of the oak around the iron mounts, possibly because of low tannin content in the oak. Length 172 cm., 67 ¾ in., Height 71.5 cm., 28 ¼ in., Depth 63 cm., 24 ¾ in., Related to: No 900:2-1904 V&A Museum, London. Stadtmuseum Dusseldorf. Decorative Arts Museum Berlin. Museen Schleswig-Holstein & Hamburg. A related example featuring elaborately-carved feet and formerly in the Horsham Museum, West Sussex, sold at Christie's in 2010 for £97,250 and another example, again with carved feet sold at Sothebys in 2006 for £48,000. Literature: A similar example is illustrated in H. Lüttgens, Alt- Aachener Wohnkultur; Ein Rundgang durch ein altes Aachener Haus im Wohnstil des 18. Jahrhunderts, Aachen, n.d., ill. 12, and another comparable iron-bound chests...

Valuable ancient noble 16th century, Italy Ligurian carved oak and chestnut credenza Bambocci, sideboard with display cabinet. All original with exception ...

RARE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE PERSPECTIVES SIDEBOARD WITH FAN-SHAPED PEDESTAL ORIGIN: TUSCANY, FLORENCE PERIOD: 16th CENTURY Height : 143.5 cm Length : 133 cm Depth : 54 cm Li...

Gothic oak chest from 16th century with paneled lid and 4 linenfold panels in the front, circa 1500-1530 From the low countries, (Netherlands). In good original condition, with min...

Small cabinet by L’ecole De Fontainebleau Incrusted with marble tablets Origin : VAL-DE-LOIRE, France Period : 16th century Measures: Height : 170...

RARE CABINET DEPICTING THE FOUR ELEMENTS ORIGIN : FRANCE PERIOD : CIRCA 1600 Height: 178 cm Width: 112 cm Depth: 50 cm Former Perpitch Collection Forme...

On the left post of the lower body, is written the date 1596 in a cartouche This cabinet has two bodies. The upper part, set back, is moulded and carved. At the bottom, the cabine...

Spanish Gothic Cathedral Chest, Circa 1600, decorated with Gothic motifs and a central cross. Built from solid oak , showcasing a beautiful aged patina. It shows reassuring signs of ...

A striking example of Late Renaissance craftsmanship! This 16th-century Italian credenza was made in Tuscany circa 1570 and exhibits the bold architectural lines and refined ornament...

An extraordinary Italian Renaissance wooden cabinet from the 1500s awaits the discerning collector. This antique lacquered furniture piece, dating back to the 16th century, showcases...

Former collection Altounian At the beginning of the reign of Henri II (1547-1559) the furniture’s ornamentation evolves. The few medieval motifs that were still used are eventually relinquished. Furniture becomes more sober showcasing moulded panels and perfect architecture. Cabinet-makers use ornaments such as curved fluted or plain columns, feather quills, roses or winged putti heads. High-relief carving becomes more scarce and compositions lighter. To that end cabinet-makers draw inspiration from Fontainebleau motifs filtering them and adapting them to French taste. During this period cabinet-makers turn into a kind of architects. Indeed the architectural balance of furniture is the centre of their concerns. The study of Antic formulas is then a necessity. From this care given to proportions appear refined cabinets with pure lines. This style is characteristic of the reign of Henri II and disappears soon after under the regency of Catherine de Medici (1560-1574) when an abundance of high and low-relief ornaments comes back on furnitures. This two-bodies cabinet...

Decorative English Oak "Food" or Aumbry Cabinet inspired by 16th Century examples, but of 19th Century manufacture. (See Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, the British Tradition...

XVI Century, Italian Renaissance wood chest. This important noble chest of the Tuscan Renaissance was built towards the end of the sixteenth centur...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, very large, Exhibition / Museum quality, hand carved 16th Century southern Italian...

Important Italian Renaissance Polychrome chest with coat-of-arms Origin: Italy Period: early 16th century Height: 71cm Length: 190cm Depth: ...

Gothic front gallery chest, Westphalia around 1500 - 1550, wrought iron bands, boxy oak body, partially carved. Monumental star-shaped key plate with original key, feet on the front ...

The lower part It stands on an ogee molded base and four feet with two front legs more massive and detailed than the others. It opens with two doors and three drawers. The vert...

A wonderful early walnut chest, French 16th century, with a central panel of Gothic tracery. The only other decoration are simple raised molding square diamonds one the front and sid...

16th Century Italian Prie-dieu (Praying Kneeler) made of Italian walnut and burl wood.

Unique and rare cabinet with an open base, finished all around, so it could be freestanding in the room, the front panels intricately carved with gothic tracery work, the side and ba...

France / 16th century / wardrobe / oak / Antique / Rustic Wooden one door cabinet in oak with nice graphic carvings. This wardrobe has a foldable hanging system and is resting on fo...

Very beautiful German cabinet probably black forest dated 1590 in walnut. The drawers as well as the door have superb chiseled locks. Which is a monumental work and a sign of the be...

The cabinet’s upper body, slightly recessed is topped by an overlapping entablature and cornice supported both in the front and the rear by four fluted columns. The lower body stands on four squared feet and a moulded base. Each door-leaf’s panel is centred by a low-relief carving presenting one of the four evangelists...

A very impressive Westphalian Gothic chest or ‚Stollentruhe’, Westphalia, Germany, circa 1500-1550. Wrought iron mounted oak, partially carved. The monumental rectangular standing chest with full-height stiles, extensively mounted with wrought ironwork straps terminating in quatrefoil finials which ’wrap’ around the chest edges. These are fixed with convex head nails. The ironwork with some remains of an originally red painted surface. In addition, running along the edges of the lid at the front and sides is a plain iron band, close-nailed. The feet of the two front legs are finely carved on the front face, in low relief with a rectangular arched ’panel’ depicting on the left a lion, on the right a dragon holding each a coat of arms. Regarding the age of circa 500 years, this coffer is in exceptionally good condition, with only smaller restorations.  Comparative literature • Baumeier, Stefan, Beschlagene Kisten; Die ältesten Truhen Westfalens, Essen, 2012. • Falke, Otto von, Deutsche Möbel...

Superb and rare 16th century credenza from the southwest of France with a Gothic influence The credenza opens with two doors. Very beautiful ironwork with superb Gothic irons fitting...

Exceptional lacquered and gilded wooden cabinet, Venice, last quarter of the 16th century. The architectural facade is centered on a gable supported by columns reminiscent of ancient...

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...

French Henry II Deux-Corps cabinet, in two parts. Of linear design and interesting, unusual proportions, the top part with two-doors over two drawers, bottom with two larger drawers ...

Antique 16th Century English drawer chest with original iron fittings.

Superb and rare Italian Renaissance walnut wedding chest or cassone from the late 16th century from the Tuscany region. Very beautiful chest with a wood marquetry coat of arms in it...

This magnificent Italian Renaissance stipo cabinet offers both an impressive aesthetic and functional versatility, reflecting its historical grandeur. Crafted in rich walnut, this st...

Exceptional museum quality, Italian, renaissance walnut cassettone with fitted bureau in the upper part & exceptional Bambocci carving, Lombardy. This magnificent cassettone exudes the character and quality of the finest, late-Renaissance furniture. Late 16th century, Northern Italian furniture often had the sides, legs or angles, 'a Bambocci', incorporating carved figures which were unique sculptures in their own right. The putti on this cassettone are beautifully carved and of sculptural quality. Each angel has one arm raised to heaven, a poignant touch. Showing customary signs of wear from time, the lion’s paw feet make a great statement. This cassettone was conceived to have visual impact through the quality of the carving, as well as being very practical with the writing compartment fitted in the top part. It has survived in very original condition with a few small repairs and losses, and the color and patina are warm and lustrous. This cassettone was illustrated in one of the seminal works on Lombardy furniture in the 1969 and has been in two renowned collections. The hinged top in two sections faced with a solid moulded edge. The front part has a fall front and opens to reveal a writing compartment. The fall front retains its original lock and is concealed with a false drawer which is above three drawers. All with moulded panels, escutcheons and retaining the original iron handles. The front ends have exceptional, bambocci, carved putti raising their arms to heaven above trailing foliage. Standing on magnificent lion...

AN EXCEPTIONAL MUSEUM QUALITY, ITALIAN, RENAISANCE WALNUT CASSETTONE WITH A FITTED BUREAU IN THE UPPER PART & EXCEPTIONAL BAMBOCCI CARVING, LOMBARDY - This exceptionally rare, museum quality, piece of early furniture was conceived and crafted as an artwork of the finest quality of its time. Throughout time it has been a luxurious, statement piece which has protected it, and fortunately it has survived in virtually, original condition. - This magnificent cassettone exudes the character and quality of the finest, late-Renaissance furniture. Northern Italian Renaissance furniture often had the sides, legs or angles, 'a Bambocci', incorporating carved figures which were considered unique sculptures in their own right. - The putti on this cassettone are beautifully carved and of sculptural quality. Each angel has one arm raised to heaven, a poignant touch. - The lion’s paw feet are a classical feature and make a great statement. - This cassettone was conceived to have visual impact through the quality of the carving, as well as being very practical with the writing compartment fitted in the top part. - It has survived in very original condition with a few small repairs and losses, and the colour and patina are warm and lustrous. - This cassettone is illustrated Illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Lombardo, Milan, 1969, p. 45, one of the seminal works on Lombardy furniture, and has been in two renowned collections. The hinged top in two sections faced with a solid moulded edge. The front part has a fall front and opens to reveal a writing compartment. The fall front retains its original lock and is concealed with a false drawer which is above three drawers. All with moulded panels, escutcheons and retaining the original iron handles. The front ends have exceptional, bambocci, carved putti raising their arms to heaven above trailing foliage. Standing on magnificent lion's-head carved feet. The sides are panelled. Exceptional original colour and patina. Literature : Illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Lombardo, Milan, 1969, p. 45. A Gonzalez-Palacois, Il mobile in Liguria, Genova, 1996 illustrates related pieces Measures: Length 147 ½ cm. 58 in, height 104 cm. 41 in, depth 75 cm. 29½ in, Provenance: Coll. Private Azzate The Collection of Sandro and Lidia Orsi, Ca’ Mera, Varese. Regarded as one of the most beautiful homes in Lombardy, Ca’ Mera, the country house of Sandro and Lidia Orsi was filled with beautiful objects from many different epochs. A renowned antiquarian from Milan, over his lifetime Sandro and his wife Lidia revived the Renaissance and Baroque character of the house and instilled their own unique vision into the interiors, which culminated with the creation of a Kunst – or Wunderkammer. “I have never seen such an example of poetical taste”, Sir John Pope...

An exceptional German Gothic, Brutalist Coffer, very simple but strong design ,the coffer has its original Iron lock, ideal piece of furniture to place in a modern and contemporary i...

An exceptional George II design Chinese Chippendale mahogany open fret cabinet, suitable as a bedside or drawing room dwarf book cabinet. The Chippendale ...

Beautiful antique French Gothic Coffer in bleached oak, the coffer has the typical Gothic Paneled front and side decorations, nice patina and shin...

Bargueño writing desk, cabinet in walnut tipical from Portugal. This sort of early chest of drawers were use for papers and documents, it was used as a transportable writing desk. ...

A 16th Century French Renaissance Cavred Walnut Buffet Loire Valley Dimensions: H. 1m62; L. 1m02; P. 0.52m. (63.78 in. x 40.16 in x 20....

This cassone, remarkable for its sobriety, sits on two clawed lion’s feet and a moulded base. On the façade, there is one large, moulded frame, with two soberly carved medallions inside it. Each medallion has a painted coat of arms at the centre. The two coats of arms are different, suggesting that there was an alliance between two families through marriage. The thick lid has a fluted frieze at the front. On the sides, a wrought iron handle reminds us of the use of this piece, which was intended for storing the property of its owner and allowing them to travel between various residences. The square shaped handles highlight the earliness of this object in the century. The cassone is, along with the bed, a key piece of furniture of the Middle Ages and was still used in the Renaissance Period.

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...

Small renaissance cabinet ORIGIN : FRANCE PERIOD : END OF THE 16th CENTURY Measures: height: 167 cm length: 123 cm depth: 58 cm This small two-part unit with harmonious proportions opens with four front leaves and two belt drawers. It rests on a molded base. The uprights and the central frame of the lower body are adorned with long stylized palmettes. They frame the four leaves on which unfolds a vegetal decoration made of stems and leaves sculpted in symmetry around two mascarons topped with feathers...

Superb and rare Italian Renaissance chest from the end of the 16th century in walnut Very beautiful chest with a superb molding work on its face as well as a very beautiful base. Th...

Condition : Partly dating from the Renaissance. The backs and the drawer’s insides have been re-done. Historical background The 16th century is a prosperous period for Lyon...

Large wedding chest in tinted and gilded walnut, the lid animated with a frieze of pearls, the sides with compartments, the belt decorated with gadroons. It rests on four claw feets.

Offered is this large and impressive 16th-century rustic oak chest, which can also serve very well as a coffee table, TV stand, hallway furniture, or toy/storage chest. Large, heavy,...

Renaissance cabinet with a quill-feather decor. ORIGIN: FRANCE PERIOD: 16th CENTURY Height : 162 cm Length : 134 cm Depth : 54.5 cm Blond w...

Chest of drawers. Carved wood. 16th century. Restorations. Chest of drawers with a carved wooden front in its own color, featuring two drawers with metal handles and lock escutcheo...

Renaissance Armoirette frontage ORIGINE: FRANCE EPOQUE : 16th CENTURY Measures: height : 90 cm length : 65 cm depth : 10 cm Walnut The armoirette is used to store valu...

WOODEN CHEST CARVED WITH TWO CRENELLATED TOWERS ORIGIN: SOUTH WEST OF FRANCE PERIOD: 16th CENTURY Height: 64,5 cm Length: 124 cm Depth: 53 cm Chestnut wood Good condi...

RARE RENAISSANCE CABINET WITH FEATHER QUILL AND FENESTRATION DECORATION ORIGIN: FRANCE PERIOD: EARLY 16th CENTURY DIMENSIONS : Height : 178 cm Length : 145 cm Depth : 58 cm Walnu...

Important Henri II Renaissance period carved walnut double-buffet in the "Ode to the Americas" fashion (made in Lyon, France). Topped by crown molding, the two doors are carved with ...

Exceptional Renaissance Cabinet from Lyon Origin: Lyon, France Period: 1540-1580, Second French Renaissance Measures: Height: 188 cm Length: 132 cm ...

Important Renaissance sideboard-credence. This piece of furniture, originally a very large chest from the 16th century chest from the 16th century has three panels carved with mascar...

A French Henri II period Renaissance walnut buffet from the 16th century with carved folded cloth décor, two drawers over two doors and carved acanthus leaf motifs. This French Henri...

SMALL RENAISSANCE CABINET ORIGIN: PROVENCE PERIOD: END OF THE 16th CENTURY Height: 175cm Length: 102cm Depth: 50cm Blond walnut This small cabin...

Superb chest called cassone in walnut from the 16th century from the Italian Renaissance Very beautiful large chest in walnut where each side is made up of a single board which is a...

Superb and rare Renaissance period walnut buffet from the end of the 16th century representing the four seasons opening with four doors and two drawers on the front, The doors offer...

Dating to the Renaissance period (circa 1550), this diminutive credenza, known as a credenzino, is quite a rare find. At only 22 ½ inches tall and 40 inches wide, the beautiful stora...