Description
After the Renaissance, chests were among the most beautiful pieces of furniture, permanently installed in bedrooms and reception rooms. Unlike the painted and decorated scenes that adorned Italian palaces until then, the 16th century preferred natural wood, with a preference for walnut.
This imposing Florentine cassone in carved walnut takes the shape of an antique sarcophagus. It rests on four powerful lion’s claw feet.
The cassone, whose entire front and sides are adorned with very beautiful high-relief fluting, is flanked by sumptuous acanthus leaves at the corners. Above the fluting, a frieze of recessed channels adds lightness and elevation to the whole.
In the center of the cassone, an opulent garland of laurel leaves frames the cartouche with its edges rolled in leather, indicating the coat of arms. In the first quarter: 3 diagonal bands; in the second quarter: a griffin; in the third quarter, an eagle.
The protruding top is bordered with a frieze of palmettes