Genoese Medicine Chest - 16th Century AAA Prop

Here is my latest personal project, developed during the Advanced 3D Environments and Props for AAA Master's program at Voxel School.

This piece is a historical recreation of the Genoese Medicine Chest. Research indicates this specific type of chest was crafted between 1562 and 1566 in Italy. These intricate chests were masterworks of Renaissance craftsmanship, used as portable apothecaries by physicians and merchants to securely transport rare compounds, spices, and glass vials. Capturing the complexity of its design and the history it carries was a significant focus for this project.

The Challenge & Motivation:
I was deeply motivated by the challenge this prop presented. Moving beyond standard shapes, the heavy ornamentation and the varied material definitions—from aged wood to delicate metal latches—demanded meticulous attention to detail. Balancing high artistic fidelity with AAA technical constraints was a rewarding process that pushed me to refine my observation skills and overall workflow efficiency.

Pipeline & Workflow:

* Blocking & Low Poly: Autodesk Maya
* High Poly Sculpting: ZBrush (focusing on filigree, weathering, and wood grain definition)
* UV Mapping: RizomUV (optimized for maximum texel density)
* Baking: Marmoset Toolbag (capturing clean, artifact-free normal maps)
* Texturing: Adobe Substance 3D Painter (achieving realistic aging, wood patina, and metal oxidation)
* Real-time Render: Marmoset Toolbag

I am very happy with the final result and the level of storytelling achieved through the textures. Feedback is always welcome!

REFERENCE: https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co199371/genoese-medicine-chest