16th Century cedar or cypress or cedar boarded and penwork decorated chest, North Italian, circa

16th Century cedar or cypress or cedar boarded and penwork decorated chest, North Italian, circa 1550-1600. Made for export to England. Of dove-tailed construction, the top and front decorated on a stipple ground depicting various figural vignettes, together with foliate, animal (including unicorns) and classical architectural motifs, the sides with iron bail handles, 153cm wide, 60.5cm deep, 62cm highInventories have shown that imported chests appear to have been an essential requirement of many 16th/17th century fine English homes. Cedar and Cypress timbers were highly valued as a natural preventative material against insect infestation, making this type of chest ideal for the storage of prized hangings, clothing and bed linen. They were exported in large numbers (throughout Europe) from Northern Italy, particularly Venice, Alto Adige and Umbria.