The Case of the Mysterious Medieval Chest

Some Insights and Analysis of the Mysterious Medieval Chest

(note: If you are not familiar with the story of the mysterious chest here is the first page, it tells you the story The Mysterious Medieval Chest)

I have gotten response and the owners have gotten some responses about this chest. Here is some of the analysis:

From Medievalists M.A. and Thomas W.

We think the images on this chest represent Adam and Eve in the Garden, Eve (on the right) looks as if she is giving Adam (on the left) a gift, perhaps in a basket, perhaps an apple. We think we also see a man in lower right holding a snake, but it is hard to discern from the pic. The whole chest speaks of early renaissance rather than medieval, due to the fantastical creatures (satyrs, etc.) which point to a post-renaissance, greco-roman influence, which is why we feel it is probably dated to the 1500's rather than 1300's. Although, having said that, there is also a definite mediterranean flavor to the decorative carving at the rim and foot, which leads us to believe that this chest could have been an Italian (Salerno?) monastic posession of anytime between the 9th century and later. The trees, especially, are of tropical, or sub tropical origin, lending weight to the Italian theory. And indeed the castle, which we believe to represent a fantastical, paradisical, City of God, does resemble the conical towers seen in medieval manuscripts of Salerno. Whatever, the case, we feel that a Welsh origin is highly unlikely.

From a Scholar Emeritus at Kansas University

I couldn't see the front well enough to sort out all that is going on, but the central figures are likely to be Paris and Venus - Paris awarding Venus the golden apple. I would be nice (but not essential) if there were two other female figures (Athena and Juno). I can see another figure but not well enough to tell whether it is male or female - seems to be leaning on a staff - could be Athena(Minerva). The winged boy with Venus would be Cupid. The two reclining figures indicate the landscape setting and are water and air(or land). The personification of water is clear - and typical - a reclining figure with a flowing jug (the upper figures). The lower figure is not as clear but seems to clasp a swan or other long necked bird - which would symbolize air. (for similar personifications in the ancient world, see the Ara Pacis). The figures on each side of the frame and at the ends are typical Mannerist composite figures. The use of the frame around the central image suggests that the carver has taken the image from an illustrated book - a handbook of iconography for example - a practice typical of the time. We are probably looking at a wedding chest - again that would be typical. The Judgement of Paris was a popular theme for cassoni.

About the Castle Coch Theory that I have posed

I received an email from a castle enthusiast and photographer with some interesting information about Castle Coch which might lend some credence to the theory. If you want to investigate this possibility here is a link to some information about Castle Coch from an organization that does tours to the castle (Scroll down the page a bit to read about Coch Castle . And here is some information about Gilbert De Clare who is believed to have taken over the castle around the 1270's or 1280's. Gilbert DeClare

Here are some bigger and clearer pictures of the chest:

Each picture opens up in a new browser window and they are large so may take a bit of time to load

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