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Florentine ‘Pomade Chest’ Cabinet

This Italian pomade chest is made of walnut with inlaid decorations of ebony mosaic and hardstone inlay of a type known a ‘Pietre Dure’. The front unlocks and is removable; behind this are three drawers which contain over 50 glass pomade jars, each of which has a beautifully embroidered or decorated cover. These jars would have contained a variety of soaps; chemical analysis on surviving fragments of the contents show that they were olive oil-based, one was even scented with oranges.

The chest was presented to Oliver Cromwell as a diplomatic gift on behalf of Ferdinand de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1656. Medici was a great admirer of Cromwell’s....

c. 1656
Pietre Dure decoration; Walnut wooden cabinet; glass pomade jars; embroidered caps
390.0 x 440.0 x 320.0 cm
B0035
Image and text © The Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon