A cassone is a traditional Italian chest or coffer, historically used as a marriage trunk to transport and store a bride's dowry. These large storage pieces often featured elaborate carvings, gilt decoration, or painted scenes illustrating classical and familial themes.

How old are these coffers?

The available examples span from the seventeenth century through the nineteenth century, including revival pieces made in the Victorian era. Earlier items typically utilise walnut and cypress, while later nineteenth-century versions often incorporate revival styles and painted finishes.

Where were they used?

Historic Italian households utilised these large chests primarily in grand halls and bedchambers for secure storage of textiles, valuables, and documents. Many designs also functioned doubly as seating benches or hall settles within domestic interiors.

Are painted finishes original?

Some pieces retain their original folk art or decorative painted schemes from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, adding significant character. Careful inspection of the pigment integration and surface wear helps distinguish period application from later restoration work.