How fabulous! It must weigh a ton.

LOve those navels! Is it a cassone?

What does the inside look like, divided or just 1 space?

Yes, it is heavy :)

And yeah, aren't those some strange looking navels on the cherubs? When my little boy was crawling, he would crawl over to the cherubs, pull himself up, and kiss them. So funny!

When I tried to research in the past, I did see the term cassone. Still not sure if that is correct!

The inside is not divided at all.

Thanks,
Jen

Well the word "cassone" is just a term for what in another country might be called a dower chest.
Not sure it matters at all what you call it...it's a chest....trunk...big box on legs! LOL!
Those cherubs on the corners ought to be a clue as to country....but I don't know which one! Looks like oak to me.
But note the handles...obviously meant to carry it with....and I'll bet that they show some heavy duty fastenings on the inside.
It's very early....maybe even 17th century.
But Unless you know more about the family who sold it....were they collectors of some sort of thing or where did their ancestors come from....it will be hard to pinpoint.
Linda c

It's a cassone, as fitting to the time period which produced this chest. As Linda stated, it's a bridal chest. Some very fanciful cassones were made, these chests were produced for a few hundred years.

It's an excellent piece and certainly looks 17th c. I think the baroque navels on the cherubs are a hoot. And check out those abs!

The top is a later replacement to make this less ornamentation and more useful in the limited spaces in which we live nowadays. It has been taken straight off another object rather than made for this one, you can see it's not quite a fit and has stressed in protest. Rear feet have been redone and possibly set in further from the rear corners. I'll bet you can see where the original feet were a little more prominently placed if you turn it over.

You have an outstanding object. I admit that I'm jealous! Treasure it.

You may be able to locate someone to restore some of the egg beading and forepaws if you're so inclined. Ask a curator at museum, or high-end auction saleroom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cassone

The creepy creatures are properly called "monopodia" meaning one-footed. Creepier still, it looks like they have been de-limbed; the once had forearms and hands!
Casey

I am so impressed with all your knowledge! Thank you.

My first reaction to the top being replaced was no way, as the wood color/tone/feel is exactly the same. Wrong! When I looked closely, it obviously doesn't fit perfectly. Interesting. And sure enough, the back feet are different, and there is blocking and repair where they were attached. It looks like an ooooold repair, but you can definitely see it. The front feet are all of one solid piece with the cherubs, I mean, creepy monopodia...

And Casey, yikes! I had never noticed those little areas where the arms were. In my mind, they had their arms folded behind them.

I can't wait to share this with my DH and MIL. They are going to be so impressed with my knowledge....

Thanks,
Jen

One more question-- what is the best way to clean this? I have never dared do much beside dust it. I have cleaned it a few times with very diluted Murphy's Oil Soap-- but as you can tell, it's been a while :)

The chest is magnificent! If I were to find something as grand, I would be so satisfied I don't think I would ever look at other antiques again! Acquiring it from a family member makes it 3 times as special. Do you have a child you will pass it on to?

I think Murphy's Oil is a big no-no for wood, especially old wood. I'm not sure, but I would say lemon oil, or virgin olive oil. Linda as well as others who know antique well will give you the right answer, I just have heard NOT MO. ;o)

Mineral spirits and a Q-tip!...Partly kidding but not entirely...I am sure there is centurys' worth of gunk in the carvings.
Linda C