An extraordinary Italian baroque-style carved walnut marriage chest dating to the seventeenth century from the Domaine de Palerme (history of the home below). Observe the superb artisan craft of the pretty hand-carved elements on the front and sides as seen in photos. The chest rests on four carved large lion's paw feet and opens to reveal deep storage inside. The top has been fully restored.
The oak base stand was made later, in the nineteenth century, to raise up the antique chest. Cassone is the term given to large decorated chests made in Italy [...in previous centuries]. Next to the marriage bed, cassoni were cherished in wealthy Renaissance households, for they held clothing, precious fabrics, and other valuables.
Often commissioned by the groom in marriage, a cassone was prominently carried in the nuptial procession, laden with the dowry of his new bride. (Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art).
A fabulous piece of Italian history which will have a commanding presence in any room it enters. Please note small marks as seen in photos.
Excerpt from Maison Victoire about the history of the Domaine de Palerme:
"The bastide was originally built in 1736 by the Duke of Palermo (with an "n"). Treasurer of the pope, the duke needed, among other things, a large mansion, with high ceiling rooms, large windows and a large central staircase, as dictated by his rank as an aristocrat of his time. According to the famous French poet and hero of the Resistance, René Char, the name [Palermo] was not easy to pronounce, and then" tended to disappear in favor of the harder Mediterranean consonant "m". Over the centuries, the bastide renamed Domaine de Palermo changed hands several times, and was inhabited in particular by the philosopher, activist and novelist Albert Camus. The Nobel Prize in Literature met René Char, a child of L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue, in Paris in 1946. They became friends and Camus went to Provence to see him."
Condition and wear consistent with age and use.
Approx. overall 32" high x 67¼" wide x 24½" deep
Approx. overall 81cm high x 171cm wide x 62cm deep
