Antique Italian Baroque Polychrome Painted Armorial Blanket Chest, 1800s

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This large 17th-century italian baroque polychrome painted marriage blanket chest is a museum-quality masterpiece of historical tuscan cabinetmaking. Sourced directly … Read more This large 17th-century italian baroque polychrome painted marriage blanket chest is a museum-quality masterpiece of historical tuscan cabinetmaking. Sourced directly from a prominent private villa in florence, this monumental coffer trunk showcases a brilliant historical warmth and a masterful painted trompe l'oeil, making it an exceptional find for international collectors, curators, and high-end interior designers. The heraldic centerpiece & artistic masterpiece the absolute crown jewel of this cassone is its flat hinged lid, which serves as the primary artistic canvas. It features a prominent, beautifully preserved hand-painted noble coat of arms (stemma araldico) topped with an aristocratic crown. The shield displays three golden crescents over a red fess, a celebrated armorial charge directly associated with elite tuscan nobility and aristocratic lineage of florence. This magnificent heraldic crest is elegantly flanked by two large, classical putti masterfully painted among rolling acanthus leaf vines and elegant scrolls, creating a dynamic and deeply narrative baroque composition. Architectural design & craftsmanship dating to the core baroque era (circa 1600s), the solid wood chassis is bordered by a continuous hand-carved egg-and-dart molding. The architectural front layout is divided by vertical pilasters richly adorned with cascading, heavy festoons of pomegranates, citrus fruits, and green foliage, tied with flowing ribbons. The central panels boast symmetrical golden ocher scrolls over a deep forest green ground, perfectly balancing the heraldic composition of the lid. The chest rests on onion feet on the front, while the rear supports are shaped as solid, bracket feet —a traditional functional design allowing these monumental wedding chests to rest securely against ancient stone walls. Museum-quality condition & original hardware this antique italian marriage chest is in excellent stable condition, offering a highly robust solid wood frame reliable for everyday functional statement storage. Hardware: a collector's dream, the chest retains its original, hand-forged wrought iron lock plate and internal hinges, complete with its original working key. Surface: features a beautiful original patina, an honest network of fine original craquelure, and minor age-appropriate wear that enhances its authentic historic character. The mineral pigments and partial gold leaf gilding remain exceptionally bright, saturated, and completely stable. Interior: lifting the top reveals an exquisite interior fully lined with traditional, beautifully preserved florentine paper (carta fiorentina). Versatile styling ideas with its commanding presence and dramatic aesthetic, this baroque trunk adapts beautifully to upscale contemporary and traditional spaces: *the entryway / foyer: a welcoming statement piece styled with classic brass candlesticks or modern ceramic vases. *the living room: a highly original low sideboard, credenza, or media console underneath a flat-screen tv. *the master bedroom: positioned at the foot of a king-sized bed as a traditional luxury blanket coffer. Technical details *item type: storage cassone / marriage chest / blanket trunk / coffer *style: baroque / renaissance revival / grand tour style *country of origin: italy (tuscany) * date of manufacture: 17th century *materials: solid wood, gesso, polychrome tempera paint, gold leaf gilding, florentine paper lining, hand-forged wrought iron *color palette: deep black and forest green ground, gold leaf, ochre, terracotta, rich fruit tones and organic pigments *dimensions: height: 58 cm (22.83") length: 158 cm (62.20") depth: 60 cm (23.62") See less