The Trunk Black Velvet with Floral Hand Embroidery

Item code: 042-1571

The exquisite hand-embroidered panel of our Floral Trunk is a faithful re-creation from an extraordinary Florentine cabinet made at the Grand Ducal workshops in Florence at the beginning of the 18th Century (1704-1705).

This superlative piece has a striking floral hand-embroidered front panel crafted from exquisite delicate silk. Complementing this is a back panel in soft black velvet, alongside side panels in black croc print Italian calf leather finished with a deep glassy shine. Opening our signature shield lock clasp reveals a shimmering grosgrain-lined interior complete with an open pouch and a zipped pocket. Gold-tone brass trimmed corners, protective base feet and a bamboo-inspired gold-tone top handle provide distinctive detailing.

Historical Significance and Provenance:

Pietra dura is one of the elaborate ways in which Florentine workers showed their skill in making hardstone mosaics. The central panel derived from sketches made by one of the greatest artists of the time: Giovanni Battista Foggini (1652-1725). His designs for similar work are contained in his journal of sketches preserved in Florence to this day.

The magnificent cabinet was made for the daughter of Grand Duke Cosimo III, Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, who was married to the Elector Palatine, Johann Wilhelm von der Pfalz. It now forms part of the Gilbert Collection which is on loan to the V&A Museum in London.