Samson smiting the Philistines with a Jawbone of an Ass (left)

Italian School. Oil painting on panel (left), Samson smites the Philistines with a Jawbone of an Ass, Italian School, front left panel of an early 17th century Italian cassone or dowry chest. Parcel gilt ground, foliate incised, the domed and hinged lid painted en grisaille panels of female caryatids, foliage and armorial crest, two panels at the front painted with landscapes of battle scenes, panel at each end painted with crests, square plinth base. According to the Biblical story (Judges 15: 14-19) Samson slew a thousand Philstibnes with an ass's jawbone until they lay 'heaps upon heaps'. The jawbone makes a reference to the weapon with which Cain killed Abel but the water which subsequrntly flowed from it may be referring to a spring (in Hebrew). Tatton Park, Cheshire (Accredited Museum)