The cassone, the Italian name for the nuptial estate chest, and the traditional and primitive symbol of hope and happiness, was actually the most important furniture of its time as it would be filled with treasures passed on by relatives to the next generation.

Primitive painting on the front depicts in detail Hercules fighting with the Lion in the Labours of Heracles. King Eurystheus decided Hercules' first task was to bring him the skin of the vicious Lion which had been terrorizing the village in Nemea. Hercules was clever to trap the lion in its cave. A villa is reflected in the lake and forest foreground with mountains in the background. Lovely natural contrast of red and green. Brown painted top, red painted sides, family commissioned monogram on reverse. European fir. Pin hinges. From the region Marche in central Italy, Louis XIV, Circa 1750.

Measures:

51.75" width (131 cm)

17" depth (43 cm)

17" height (43 cm)