PHOTOS: Views of cassone prior to restoration. Preserving Palmer’s Cassone BY CAITLIN SHARP, CSPM REGISTRAR Cassone after restoration. Among Palmer’s Steinway grand piano and Queen’s dress, you might spy a large trunk as part of the Glen Eyrie vignette in the new exhibit, Evidence: Finding the Facts About General William Jackson Palmer. This trunk, called a cassone, was owned by the Palmers and donated to the CSPM by descendants of the Helen Hunt Jackson Family in 2015. A cassone is an Italian chest that features ornate designs and was traditionally given to a bride by her parents as part of her dowry. While we do not know how and when the Palmers acquired it, we have numerous historic photographs of Glen Eyrie which show similar trunks in the residence, like the one in the cover photo. This beautifully carved trunk includes two prominent figures on the front as well as feet that are carved to look like dogs. While museums and individuals strive to preserve artifacts, wood is very susceptible to damage. Changing temperature and humidity fluctuations weaken wood, causing it to expand then contract which often leads to permanent damage resulting in warping and splits. Certain pests, such as woodborers, powderpost beetles, and termites, survive by consuming wood and cause significant losses. MUSELETTER SEPTEMBER 2019| PG 2
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