16th-century Walnut Wedding Chest

Richly carved walnut wedding chest in high relief depicting the Adoration of the Christ Child to the Magi.

This scene is framed by colonnettes and figures, all different, in terms.
The inscription "Jésus Maria" in the lower part underlines the devotional character of the whole, reinforced by the presence of the Pelican with spread wings, symbol of Christ feeding mankind with his body and blood.
While the terms on the front have expressive faces, the sides of the chest are decorated with molded panels carved with grotesque masks, characteristic of the Germanic Mannerist ornamental vocabulary of the late 16th century.
The interior reveals a compartment with lateral reserve, and the reverse of the flap features a complex lock with three damascened wrought-iron pennes.

South Germany circa 1580

Changed feet
Restoration of use