AN ITALIAN CARVED AND POKERWORK DECORATED CHEST OR CASSONE 16TH CENTURYDecorated throughout with scenes of figures in period dress, angels and animals, the lid to the lid opening to a polished platform surface, one 'secret' front panel opening to the lower 'cupboard' section, one side panel depicting family arms in the form of a hippocampus with latin motto beneath 'INTE DOMINE CONFIDO' and date 156673cm high, 172cm widePurchased by the father of the current owner in 1942 from the sale of items from the estate of Thomas Baden Powell (Bannister & Co. The contents of High Hurst, Newick, 3rd June 1942, Lot 256.) Part of the original catalogue description in 1942 included the note '....believed salvaged from Spanish wreck off Beachy Head in 1747.... '. A printed copy of a photograph of the cover and appropriate page of the 1942 catalogue is available with this lot. The motto to the side panel relates to the Savoy family and is recorded on Torino coinage of the 1538-1580 period. Thomas Baden Powell (1864-1942) was son of William Baden Powell (d. 1885) squire/rector of Newick and cousin of Robert Baden Powell of Scouting fame. This lot is apanied by a framed print of a wreck off the coast of Sussex in the 18th century, which according to the current owner's family lore may relate to the chest and its salvage from a Spanish wreck.