CASSONE OF THE BONFANTI OF BERGAMO Tuscany, first... Lot 39

CASSONE OF THE BONFANTI OF BERGAMO Tuscany, first half of the 16th century Walnut Missing claws on the right leg H. 55 cm, W. 171 cm, D. 58.5 cm Arms of the Bonfanti of Bergamo: shield cut with bar and chief of Empire This beautiful walnut chest, a Renaissance cassone, takes the form of ancient sarcophagi. The wrought iron carrying handles, of square section, suggest that it was made quite early in the 16th century. It bears on the front the coat of arms of the Bonfanti family of Bergamo, which bore their shield of Gules with a bar argent, a chief of Empire or with a crowned eagle sable. With a beautiful patina, the tray opens and closes by means of a lock discreetly arranged in the belt, decorated with cartouches and lozenges set in imitation of a gold-plated band trimmed with gems. It crowns the richly carved facade with foliage centered on a mascaron, on either side of the coat of arms. The whole piece rests on a plinth that overhangs on all three sides, composed of a foliage cluster of autumn fruits and supported by lion paw feet. The elegance of our cassone owes much to the geometric rigor of its decoration in which pomegranates are nestled. This fruit, often associated with fertility because of the many seeds it contains, appears on wedding gifts to encourage the young couple's descendants. It could well be a wedding chest.