Spalliera

The Tragedy, Death or Suicide of Lucretia a spalliera by Sandro Botticelli

A spalliera is a decorated backboard mounted on a wall, often behind a cassone (a wooden chest used for storage), or as a headboard to a bed. It is usually made out of wood and embellished with decorative aspects such as intricate carving, and is gilded as well. They were common in Renaissance Tuscany.

References

• The National Gallery - Spalliera
• Italian Renaissance Resources