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Judith and Holofernes, chest (Cassone)
(1570s)
Medium
Walnut (Juglans sp.)
Measurements
74.3 × 180.2 × 60.7 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1955
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
A cassone (plural cassoni) was a painted or carved chest used in marriage rituals. Usually made in pairs and bearing the coats of arms of the families being united in marriage, these chests were used to transport the bride’s trousseau to her husband’s house, her new home. They were placed in the bedchamber (camera), where they served as storage furniture. Cassoni’s decoration often had an educational function and was intended to inculcate desirable qualities in the woman, who spent time in the camera. Classical and biblical stories emphasised female virtue, chastity and the power of love.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Italy
Accession Number
1547.1-D4
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
Judith brought before Holofernes; Judith feasting with Holofernes.