Heroic Dreams - All Things Medieval

Last month I put up a mysterious story about a 13th century chest that was part of the Hearst estate. The mystery revolved around what castle was possibly depicted on the chest. We have had some interesting, scholarly, and insightful theories put forward about this chest.

If you are new to the case of the mysterious medieval chest here is last months blog post telling more about it: Mysterious Medieval Chest

I also Have a webpage on my medieval castles website with more pics and information here: Mysterious chest webpage

Here is some analysis I got about the chest and the castle:

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

Also: This analysis is from an Emeritus Scholar 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.

I also Have a webpage on my medieval castles website with more pics and information here: Mysterious chest webpage

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