Wedding chest (cassone) 1475 - 1485

Editor: Here we have a beautiful example of a wedding chest, or cassone, from 1475-1485, carved from wood. It’s anonymous, so we don't know who made it! What strikes me is the way the gilded relief tells a story wrapping around the box... So, what story do you think it's telling, and how does its function play into its art? Curator: Ah, the cassone! More than just a box, it was practically a billboard announcing a family’s status. I see swirling narratives plucked from classical myths or historical events – think virgins and battles. And consider: this chest isn’t tucked away. It’s paraded! Given its primary function of holding the bride's trousseau, can we consider these embellished decorations as celebrations of her anticipated role and lineage, interwoven in mythical tales? What details catch your eye most? Editor: Definitely the figures. The relief carving, although worn with time, it's clear that great care and skill went into depicting their faces, especially their drapery. Does that indicate that this would have been made for someone particularly wealthy? Curator: Absolutely. The opulence whispers wealth and importance. I wonder about the narrative chosen – perhaps tales of strong, virtuous women or courageous ancestors to inspire the young bride. See how the wood almost seems to glow beneath the gold? Do you notice anything peculiar about its physical construction? Editor: It’s larger than I expected, I’m realizing— and quite heavy, which fits the function but really sets a tone. You know, after studying it together, I’m seeing how the chest wasn't just practical, but performed wealth and history! It’s less of a piece of furniture and more of a family emblem, really. Curator: Precisely. It carries a tangible weight and carries generations of stories. Each viewing provides layers of its essence as an embodiment of social history and craft!