Italian Chest, Known As A Cassone, In Walnut, Late 16th Century

A beautiful Italian chest, called a Cassone, made of walnut from the late 16th to early 17th century.

In 16th century Italy, these chests, known as "Cassoni," were most often given as wedding gifts. They were typically placed at the foot of a canopy bed.

The front is adorned with vertical panels featuring arches (or arcading), separated by small, carved colonnettes. The central motif features a coat of arms (a mascaron) as well as a scene from "The Crow and the Fox," the famous fable by La Fontaine. Below, on the cornice, one can see the letters "IHS" with a cross, standing for *Iesus Hominum Salvator* (Jesus Savior of Humanity).

The lower border is decorated with a frieze of acanthus leaves carved in relief.

The chest rests on four feet carved in the shape of lion's paws.
The flat lid, slightly overhanging, is molded with a "beak of a crow" profile and decorated with palmettes.

It has a warm brown patina and has undergone some routine restorations over time, particularly on the lid.

Good overall condition.