A large cypress and cedar cassone Alto Adige, early 17th century

profusley decorated with poker-work on a stipple ground depicting various Biblical vignettes together with foliate and classical architectural motifs, on a moulded plinth, the cover now reversed, together with the detached box till, the lid of which is decorated with a knight in armour and the front with angels in a loggia

Illustrated Gordon Nares, Country Life, Newton Surmaville, Somerset - II, September 12th 1952, p. 763, fig. 10, in the dining room.

Cassone; Generally good considering age and use. Some typical old fragmenting, partial splits, separations and losses. The sides in particular show this wear. The interior with lock lacking and the reverse of the cover with a lot of wear (from before it was reversed), indents and small repair. The central hinge is now lacking and the cover is secured by two flanking hinges. Till; Good condition. Some partial losses to hinges and fragmenting on these sites. Partial splits to cover. Generally this lot has attractive colour and relatively crisp decoration. To discuss this lot in greater detail please call Edward Rising or David Macdonald on 0207 293 5107 or 0207 293 5507.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cedar and Cypress were timbers that lent themselves well as preventative materials against insect infestation, making these chests ideal for the storage of textiles - valuable commodities in their own right. This was an attribute that was recognised from the early 16th century when they were first exported to the British Isles. John Houghton reported in 1727 that such chests were made in Venice, for the wood 'resists the worm and the moth, all putrefaction to eternity... nothing outlasts it, or can be more beautiful, especially than the roots of the wilder sort, incomparable for its crisped undulations' . They were considered items of great luxury and with their exuberant decoration they were costly, as not only were they shipped some distance, but had heavy import tax placed upon them.