An Italian carved walnut cassone, Tuscan 16th century

with the coat-of-arms possibly of Pucci of Florence, on a rectangular platform base

It is rare for cassone to survive with its original a platform base. In overall good conserved condition. Old marks chips and scratches as visible from the catalogue photograph commensurate with age. Rear feet probably later. Construction cracks and cracks generally as visible from the photograph commensurate with age and normal usage which can be left and do not detract from the piece. The inside has been lined with green silk. There is a small patch to the lid above the lockplate but this is not too noticeable.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
David Dubon, The Frick Collection, Vol V, Italian and French Furniture,Vermont, 1992, pp. 3-14.
Claudio Paolini, Il mobile del rinascimento, la collezione Herbert Percy Horne, Firenze, 2002, p. 22, illustrates a Florentine 16th century cassone of sarcophagus form also on its original rectangular plinth base. It is rare for a cassone of this date  to still have its  original plinth as the offered example.

Also see A. Pedrini, Italian Furniture, interiors and decorations of the XV-XVI centuries, London, 1949, p. 127, fig. 112, for a related Florentine cassone of similar form, dating to the middle of the 16th century, (Bardini Collection, Florence).

This type of Renaissance cassone from the 16th century derives from the ancient marble sarcophagi and also contemporary Renaissance tombs, the latter often stood on elaborately carved supports. Supporting figures were often employed on these types of cassone, although they often had portrait medallions and wreaths. Corner figures, as on the present example, were also common and they usually faced forward but sometimes diagonally as on this cassone. Also the use of rinceaux was widely employed in Antiquity as on the present cassone.