Chest front

ca. 1550–70

Not on view

The panel features a pair of fabulous female figures with extremities in the shape of scrolling tendrils, the longest of which end in cornucopias. The tilted heads draw attention to a wreath enclosing a shield that may have once contained a coat of arms. From the figures’ windswept curls to the ribbons on the wreath, swirling forms heighten the composition’s liveliness. Corresponding to a Renaissance reinterpretation of ancient imagery, the decoration may have been inspired by northern or Italian prints, which frequently served as models for the carvings adorning French chests.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Chest front
Date: ca. 1550–70
Culture: French
Medium: Carved walnut
Dimensions: confirmed: 26 1/8 × 48 7/8 in. (66.4 × 124.1 cm)
Classification: Woodwork
Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
Object Number: 32.100.335a
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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Cassone with painted front panel depicting the Conquest of Trebizond, Apollonio di Giovanni di Tomaso Italian, Poplar wood, linen, polychromed and gilded gesso with panel painted in tempera and gold, Italian, Florence — Cassone with painted front panel depicting the Conquest of Trebizond
Apollonio di Giovanni di Tomaso
Marco del Buono Giamberti
after ca. 1461

Chapel from Le Château de la Bastie d'Urfé, Fra Damiano da Bergamo (Damiano di Antoniolo de Zambelli) and his workshop Italian, Walnut and intarsia of various woods, Italian, Bologna — Chapel from Le Château de la Bastie d'Urfé
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1547–48

Cassone, Walnut, Italian, possibly Venice — Cassone
Italian, possibly Venice
second half 16th century

Cassone (one of a pair), Walnut, Italian — Cassone (one of a pair)
Italian
second half 16th century

Chest, Walnut?, German, possibly Ulm — Chest
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1588

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