Contenitore, c. 1800 Bolzano

Rustic container from Bolzano, near the Italian-Austrian border.  These containers were used to store food in the Italian pantry.  This particular piece was probably used to store dairy items such as cheese or butter.  The construction consists of barrel-like staves, held together with 3 hand-formed and fitted wooden bands.  The tapered shape of the container helps keep the form of the container stable, much like the use of a keystone in an archway.  The only use of joining hardware is a few nails that attach the 4th wooden band to the covering disc.   The cover bears a merchant’s stamp, however the information is indecipherable. 
SOLD

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