Italian, Northern Italy
Prie-dieu (Inginocchiatoio), 17th century
Walnut, 87.3 x 72 x 52.8 cm (34 3/8 x 28 3/8 x 20 13/16 in.)
This carved walnut Italian prie-dieu is meant for kneeling, individual prayer. The top shelf is plain and slopes slightly downward. Below are two intricately carved drawers with leaf motifs and round knobs in the center of each. Between are columns with delicately carved vertical vines. The front has three sections. The larger center section has a carving of a rabbit in the center medallion surrounded with leaf and floral motifs. It is framed with rows of floral and leaf designs. The two smaller rectangular sections have a floral and leaf motif surrounded with several rows of carving. The kneeler is slightly tilted with several rows of floral, leaf and half-circular carving below.
Chapel
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.