A NORTH ITALIAN GILT GESSO ('PASTIGLIA') AND POLYCHROME-DECORATED CASSONE

A NORTH ITALIAN GILT GESSO ('PASTIGLIA') AND POLYCHROME-DECORATED CASSONE
VENICE, FIRST HALF 16TH CENTURY AND LATER
The rectangular hinged top above an egg-and-dart and dentilled frieze, the convex-shaped and panelled front decorated in relief with foliate scrolls, eagles and circular medallions, flanked by panels carved with lion masks above plaques inscribed 'OPUS' and 'FIDES', respectively, and centred by a shield with coat-of-arms, the sides painted with a further coat-of-arms, above a cavetto foliate-carved plinth, losses to the decoration, the painted sides redecorated
19¼ in. (49 cm.) high; 58½ in. (148.5 cm.) wide; 18 in. (46 cm.) deep