Madia (furniture)

A madia was a piece of furniture used during the High Renaissance period. It stored food and dishes. The madia was a service piece, meaning it was not made for looks, but made to hold objects and used for a purpose. It would usually be found in the kitchen, not in an open area.

In Italy, the madia was also a kitchen piece that was used to make bread. The madia had two parts: the first was a cupboard bottom that could be used to store items. The top part could be lifted up. The dough would be placed in the top portion where it could rise, and then would be baked.