ITALIE, VENISE FIN DU XVIe siècle

ITALIE, VENISE FIN DU XVIe siècle

CASSONE Walnut and gesso (plaster and glue)
H. 57 cm, W. 117 cm, D. 58 cm
During the Renaissance, chests were among the most beautiful pieces of furniture, installed in bedrooms and state rooms. In contrast to the painted and gilded scenes that dressed Italian palaces until then, the 16th century preferred natural wood, with a predilection for walnut. Testimony to the union of two families, the wedding chest contains the objects of the trousseau: linens, books, gold and silver tableware.
This cassone, remarkable for its sobriety, rests on a profiled base in doucine which receives a decoration of fine arabesques, made in pastiglia. The facade is divided by three moulded frames with contours underlined by fillets of light wood marquetry. Inside each of the frames, the panels are decorated with motifs made using the same technique, in marquetry. The central panel is adorned with a frame, which in the past may have housed a coat of arms, symbolising the alliance of two families. It is supported by two cherubs and accosted by two male figures with scrolling drapes. The two side panels have identical ornamentation. On either side of a sheathed bust of a winged woman are symmetrically distributed beautiful long-necked swans, astonishing lizards, fauns in dancing poses and decorative elements such as garlands of drapery and fruit. The side posts of the chest are decorated with a caryatid resting on a sheath and carrying a fruit basket on its head.
On the sides a frame with cut-out contours is made of marquetry. The thin flap is adorned with arabesque motifs in pastiglia, arranged around the perimeter and on the central tray. Automatically translated by DeepL. To see the original version, click here.