The front panel of this cassone or marriage chest depicts the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, a popular subject for this type of furniture. On the sides are coats of arms that have not yet been identified. On the back is a sketch of a reclining female nude. With the cassone placed against the wall, this would have remained mostly unseen, and was no doubt painted for the artist’s own amusement. This cassone has been attributed to Francesco di Giorgio (1439–1501) or someone from the workshop he owned in Siena between about 1469 and 1475. It was given as a wedding present to Princess Louise (1848–1939), Queen Victoria’s artistically gifted daughter, when she married the Marquis of Lorne (later 9th Duke of Argyll) in 1871.
Physical description
Cassone, wood painted with tempera and covered with gilt gesso. Painting on the Cassone depicts Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
Wood, painted with tempera and covered with gilt gesso.
Place of Origin
Siena (made)
Date
1469-1475 (made)
Artist/maker
Francesco di Giorgio (workshop of, painter)
Landi, Neroccio de' (workshop of, painter)
Materials and Techniques
Carved and gilded gesso on wood, painted in tempera
Dimensions
Height: 39 in
Width: 75 in
Depth: 26 in
Historical context note
See CALLMAN, Ellen: Apollonio di Giovanni. (Oxford, 1974), pp.42ff for discussion of this subject, and iconographical representation on cassoni
Descriptive line
Cassone, painted with a scene depicting Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, thought to be painted by Francesco di Giorgio or someone from his workshop, Siena, 1469-1475
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
CALLMAN, Ellen: Apollonio di Giovanni. (Oxford, 1974), p.26, n.10
Listed under "Chests that have survived substantially in their original form"
Labels and date
MARRIAGE CHEST (CASSONE) with the Meeting of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
1450-1500
Workshop of Francesco di Giorgio Martini (1439-1501/2)
The Old Testament describes a visit by the Queen of Sheba to Solomon, King of Israel. She arrived in a great procession bearing extravagant gifts, and in return he gave her 'all she desired, whatever she asked'. The meeting of the wisest man in Asia and the richest woman of the South was a popular subject for a cassone.
Italy, Siena
Carved and gilded gesso on wood, painted in tempera; the lid and feet of later date
Museum no. W.38-1925
Given by the HRH Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll
Attribution Note
Thought to be painted by Francesco di Giorgio or someone from his workshop
Materials
Gold leaf; Tempera; Gesso
Techniques
Gilding; Painting; Joinery; Sculpture
Subjects depicted
Solomon; Sheba
Categories
Furniture; Religion; Judaism; Christianity; Woodwork
Collection code
FWK
