Furnishing nobility: The art of the cassone with Dr Callum Reid

Filled with the bride’s dowry and processed through the streets on wedding day, cassoni (marriage chests) are important documents that give insight into the wealth and status of early modern women.  From simple coffers to richly sculpted and painted chests, these objects also generated a group of renaissance painters, specialised in decorated and historiated furniture including birthing trays, beds, benches and wall panelling.    This paper explores the history of the cassone as an object type, from its renaissance ceremonial and utilitarian function to its current-day status as a collectible art object. We’ll look at some famous renaissance cassoni owned by notable women, some examples held in Australian collections and reflect on what they can tell us about histories of taste.

Your ticket includes tea or Market Lane coffee served before the presentation, and time to browse our exclusive range of books, gifts, and homewares at TJC Emporium.

This event is presented on-site at The Johnston Collection. Please see your ticket for details. NOTE: Tickets for this event do not include access to our exhibition-house, Fairhall. Guided tours of the current exhibition can be booked separately.

This program is generously supported by The Sir Wilfred and C H (Roger) Brookes Charitable Trust.

Image: Scheggia, Trajan and the Widow (cassone panel), 15^th century, tempera and gold on panel, private collection.