An Italian parcel-gilt and blue and white-painted commode

The present commode was originally placed in the Villa di Vicobello in Sienna, which belonged to the Chigi family, a Roman princely family of Sienese extraction descended from the counts of Ardenghesca. The earliest authentic mention of them is in the 13th century, and concernes one Alemanno, counsellor of the Republic of Sienna.
The design of the Villa has generally been attributed to Baldassare Peruzzi, an architect and painter from Sienna, who worked under Bramante, Raphael, and Sangallo during the erection of the new St. Peter's in Rome. Peruzzi probably also designed the famous terraced garden.