Images(8)

Trunk

Date1720-1740

OriginEngland

MediumDeal covered with leather; brass nails; iron mounts; linen and cotton-linen linings.

DimensionsTrunk: OH: 17" OL: 44 1/2" OW: 18 1/4" Linen lining: B: Vertical repeat: 13 3/4" C: Vertical repeat 11 1/2". Horizontal repeat: 19". Selvedge width approximately 29".

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1963-2,A-C

DescriptionLeather trunk with printed linen and cotton-linen linings. Trunk is rectangular with a domed lid, hinged with three strap hinges at rear and with a pair of iron hasps at front. The lid is decorated with three stylized trees (or fleur-de-lis) in brass nails. The front of the trunk has a pair of large, heart or spade-shaped escutcheons surrounded by four swirls of brass nails each. At each end of the trunk is an original iron bail carrying handle and backplate. All exterior surfaces are covered with original brown leather, fastened with brass nails. The trunk interior is lined with four different patterns of original linen and cotton-linen linings. The lining in the bottom of the trunk is block printed in red and yellow on coarse plain-woven linen. The printing is an exotic floral and scroll "bizarre" design, with balloon-shaped floral elements. The lining on the backside of trunk and inside of the lid is block printed in red, with faded red or yellow sub-pattern and scrolling flowers and leaves on coarse plain-woven linen ground. Two smaller patches of textile are printed in floral design and include one printed linen example and one printed on linen warp-cotton weft.

Trunk A; Linen linings B&C
Label TextEarly printed linens rarely survive because they wore out after repeated wear and washing. Occasionally they survive as linings in trunks or on clothing seldom laundered. The interior of this trunk is lined with four different patterns. The lining in the bottom, block printed in red and yellow on coarse plain-woven linen, is an exotic floral and scroll "bizarre" design, with balloon-shaped floral elements. The linings on the back interior wall and inside the lid are block printed in red, with faded red or yellow sub-pattern and scrolling flowers and leaves on the same linen ground. Two patches of textile, too small to determine the pattern, are linen and a linen warp/cotton weft mixture.
MarkingsTrunk hasps marked "I" and "II" on face of each.