CUPBOARDS, WARDROBES

These cupboards or wardrobes in the sacristy of San Pietro are precious examples of Tuscan Renaissance artisanry. They were made, as the documents show, in 1472 by Giusto da Francesco d’Incisa and Giovanni di Filippo da Fiesole. They stand along the two long walls of the rectangular sacristy, and have a double register of recessed wooden panels with inlay decoration, a technique involving pieces of wood differing in color and kind placed next to one another to form a design. Most of the recessed panels of the lower register have floral themes, except for the three central panels on the left side of the entrance. These show the Cross, flanked by two Bernard-inspired monograms of Christ’s name. These are made up of the letters “IHS” surrounded by the sun’s outward pointing rays. The upper register presents the scene of the Crucifixion with Mary and St. John, flanked by St. Peter and San Girolamo penitent. On the opposite side, in two distinct panels, are The Annunciation of the Virgin and The Archangel Gabriel, which are remarkable for their elegant, sinuous graphic style. It is possible to pick out the date 1472 on the frame of a recessed panel depicting a vase of flowers.