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Forziere delle imborsagioni

Manifattura locale XVI sec. d.C.

The chest, called “delle imborsagioni” (in the bag) because it was probably intended for voting, is a wooden artefact dating from the late 16th century. Similar in appearance to the Renaissance chests that also adorned private homes, it has two handles on the front and is decorated all around with painted panels featuring coats of arms of civic importance.

Technical information

Author: Manifattura locale
Title: Forziere delle imborsagioni
Date: XVI sec. d.C.
Material and technique: Painted wood
Size: 42x150x62 cm
Location: Palazzo Pretorio Museum
Ground Floor

On the front are five panels related to the Municipality of Prato: its coat of arms with golden cornflowers on a red field is in the centre, while from the left we can see the rampant lion of the Santo Stefano district, the black bear on a golden field of the Santa Maria district, the Knight of Prato and the green dragon on a red background belonging to the San Marco district. On the left is the coat of arms of Parte Guelfa (the Guelph party), with a red eagle on a white field clawing a green dragon, while on the opposite side is the coat of arms of the Municipality of Florence - a red lily on a white field - and the silver coat of arms of the Florentine People.