17th Century Carved Walnut Courtesy Or Wedding Box

Rare courtesy or wedding box in walnut, Italy, 17th century, which uses the typical elements of Renaissance decorations. The side faces are divided into reserves, with molded contours, and carved with foliage scrolls, three in number for the long side and two for the short side. These panels are separated vertically by terms with men's heads, the sheathed part of which is decorated with foliage, at each angle a winged lion stands guard. The base is covered with a protruding molding sculpted with a braid of leaves and supported by feet in the shape of a lion's muzzle. The top is carved in its center with a cartouche formed by four cornucopias in the middle of which intertwined initials: NO. The entire top is carved with arabesques and foliage scrolls and bordered by a molding, also carved with leaves, underlined with crenellation. The interior of the box was later equipped with a removable tray, probably to store jewelry, and dressed in a red velvet sheath, the hinges and the lock are later. Beautiful patina, some abrasions and wear on the feet.