Italian
Cassone, n.d.
On view
Partly gilded walnut
Dimensions31 × 77 × 26 in. (78.7 × 195.6 × 66 cm)
Gift of Viola E. Bray, 2005.125.1
The story depicted on these cassoni (chests that were usually commissioned as wedding gifts) is the life of Tobias, based on the apocryphal book of Tobit (the father of Tobias). That story would have been appropriate for a newly married couple, as Tobias was rewarded for his faith by being blessed with a wife, Sarah. The story begins on the far left of this first cassone when Tobit, who is blind, sends his son Tobias on a journey to collect money owed to him. On his way, Tobias meets the angel Raphael in disguise, who becomes his traveling companion. During their travels, Tobias bathes in the River Tigris and a giant fish comes out of the water. Raphael tells Tobias to catch the fish, gut it, and keep the heart, liver, and gall. Later, at the angel’s prompting, they stay with Tobias’ kinsmen, where he meets Sarah.
