This is show-stopping hand painted Italian Renaissance cassapanca. These 'chest-benches' became popular in the late Middle Ages by rich Italian merchants and aristocrats and is said to be the precursor to the sofas that we know today. They would also serve as a canvas for the exuberant decoration of painters from the Baroque era and often given to brides as a part of their marriage dowry. The seat lifts up to reveal storage. Perfect for a hallway or as a statement piece in any room.