An Italian Chest In Solid Fir Wood Covered In Velvet, With Sheet Metal Decorations, 16th Centur

Chest with a solid fir wood structure, covered in red velvet featuring prized diamond-patterned quilting and straight-edged embossed sheet metal frames with vegetal and heraldic motifs. The metal sheets were obtained from the solid wood, cut to size with a chisel and then embossed. This not only enhanced the aesthetic of the piece but was also necessary to cover the wooden structure. Chests of this type and size were usually placed at the foot of the bed and used to store spare linen.
This particular piece is so richly decorated that it was almost certainly commissioned by a family of high rank, as evidenced by the embossed coats of arms on the perimeter frame of the lid. Additionally, the back is covered in leather rather than exposed wood. The side handles, used for moving the piece, and the central lock are original to the period.

HxLxD 21,65in x 53,15in x 16,54in

Provenance
Private collection

Conditions
Shortages and defects. Restorations.