Chest Front
1475-1575 (made)
| Place of origin |
An oval compartment with a central scrolled cartouche with two large shells, flanked by two plain fields. The cartouche with a figure of a warrior on horseback approaching a fortress. The front of a chest, formed from a single board with applied framing and three deep, applied, mitred mouldings which are carved with leaf motif and gadrooning. Both ends are cut with 6 dovetails, with additional nails.
The reverse with a lock mortise, with old filler.
The reverse with a lock mortise, with old filler.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved walnut |
| Brief description | walnut; Italian, 1400-1499, carved |
| Physical description | An oval compartment with a central scrolled cartouche with two large shells, flanked by two plain fields. The cartouche with a figure of a warrior on horseback approaching a fortress. The front of a chest, formed from a single board with applied framing and three deep, applied, mitred mouldings which are carved with leaf motif and gadrooning. Both ends are cut with 6 dovetails, with additional nails. The reverse with a lock mortise, with old filler. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | GHV [?] 3 London (Painted on reverse) |
| Object history | Bought for 1L. 5s. |
| Bibliographic reference | London, South Kensington Museum: Ancient and Modern Furniture & Woodwork in the South Kensington Museum, described with an introduction by John Hungerford Pollen (London, 1874) , p.146
“Coffer panel. Carved walnut wood. An oval compartment in the centre, with a figure of a woman on the walls of a fortress; the front of a coffer. Italian. 17th century. H 1 ft. 5 in., W. 5 ft. 2 in. Bought, 1L. 5s.
The siege of Troy was a favorite subject for illustration when the “classic” revival began to take effect in Italy. These figures represent Cassandra, the daughter of Priam, king of Troy, and Hecuba, his queen. She was endowed with the gift of prophecy, having been exposed or offered in her childhood to the god Apollo. Owing however, to a quarrel with Apollo , in later life she was doomed, though a prophetess, never to be believed; in consequence all her forewarnings as to the fate of Troy, of which she was not sparing and such as she is giving in this sculpture, seeme to Priam and Hector his son as idle dreams.” |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 7324-1860 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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