Delilah cutting Samsons Hair, with the Philistines (right)

Italian School. Oil painting on panel (right), Delilah cutting Samson's Hair, with the Philistines (right), front right 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 16: 4-20), the Philistines were always seeking an opportunity to conquer Samson so bribed his lover, Delilah, to reveal the true source of his strength. She is usually seen with him in a bedchamber, cutting off his hair or having a Philistione do it, while he sleeps but, in this picture, the scene takes place on the battlefield. Seen here on a dowry chest, it may be playfully warning of the possibilty of a woman's domination over man. Tatton Park, Cheshire (Accredited Museum)