RARE CASSONA ITALY, c. 1480-1490 flamboyant gothic... Lot 19

RARE CASSONA ITALY, c. 1480-1490 flamboyant gothic period Walnut wood H. 68 cm, W. 117 cm, D. 54 cm Resting on a high moulded base, this chest, made of walnut wood of good quality, still shows important remains of polychromy as well as its gilding with gold leaf. On the front, the two panels, formerly painted, are separated by a fenestration element inspired by the gothic architecture. The sides, which were also once painted, are adorned with two lozenges in the centre. Once opened, it reveals an interior compartment divided into two parts, one forming a box, the other containing four drawers (the first is fixed), hidden by the movable panel of the chest. The drawers, the inside of the leaf and the inside of the top are decorated with interlacing and arches forming a network of windows in light relief, gilded on a red background. This type of chest is rare and was intended for wealthy patrons who were able to finance the gilding, which could be particularly costly. At the crossroads of influences from several Italian regions, it draws its Gothic fenestration decoration from Venice, while its high base and its facade divided into panels are more reminiscent of Milan.