Trunk

Dateca. 1700

OriginEurope, Spain or South America, Peru

MediumWalnut, leather, iron

DimensionsOH: 9"; OW: 24"; OD: 13 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-499

DescriptionTrunk: leather worked ubiquitously. Top area divided into 2 rectangles, one within the other. The larger rectangle's outlines are defined by the edges of the top. Between this, and the rectangle within, it is a band of trailing vines, tulip-flowers, and barking dogs. Rosettes are at the corners. The central, small rectangle encloses a similar complex of symmetrically arranged vines, flowers, and dogs, but rosettes do not appear at the corners- instead, a large circle is at the center: it encloses a griffin with a long tail, and lavish mane. The sides of the lid, which fit over the sides of the case, are decorated-in their upper areas-with lron rectangular bands enclosing a row of vines, flowers, and buds, symmetrically arranged. Iron straps, with rounded ends, re-enforce the 4 corners. Below the highly decorated rectangular bands is an apron of semi-circular cutouts, each enclosing 8 lobes-which flare out at right angle from the case. The top is hinged at back, lifts up at front to reveal plain light-reddish leather-covered interior. Front of lower portion of piece decorated with one large rectangular enclosing complex of vines and flowers; in center is large iron open-work escutcheon plate with keyhole in center (keyhole does not seem to lead to any lock; is purely ornamental). Two iron straps with rounded ends re-enforce each front corner. Sides of case decorated with similar complex of scrolls and leaves enclosed in rectangle. At middle of each side is a twisted iron handle. Single iron strap with roun ded ends re-enforces back corners. Color uniform: a very dark brown.
MarkingsNo signature; small, circular label pasted to corner of inside of lid printed: "St. John and Cicely Hornby No."; written in pencil (after "No." is "N2".
ProvenanceEx coll: St John and Cicely Hornby, Prebendal House, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxon., England.