Italian, Siena
Front Panel of a Cassone (Pannello Frontale de Cassone): Leopards, 15th century
Poplar and walnut, with remains of gilding, 58 x 167.9 cm (22 13/16 x 66 1/8 in.)
Gilded poplar and walnut wood panel from a cassone, or marriage chest. This rectangular panel has a thin, linear border with a repeating pattern of seated front-facing leopards evenly spaced across its surface. It is gilded with some wear, creating a gold tone with darker spots of the wood visible beneath. The leopards are each framed by an intertwining pattern which separates each on the face of the panel.
Raphael Room
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.