RARE LATE 19TH CENTURY CHINESE EXPORT ANTIQUE HAND PAINTED PIGSKIN COVERED TRUNK, with 

MANDARIN LADIES IN LANDSCAPE & DECORATIVE 

BRASS FRONT HASPS & HAMMERED BRASS 

WIRE SIDE LIFTING HANDLES 

(Circa 1875-1895)

Late 19th century Chinese export hand painted pigskin wrapped decorative wood/brass trunks

DIMENSIONS: 

 19 1⁄4" Length x 6" Height x 8 1⁄4" Depth 

DESCRIPTION: 

For your review and consideration is this quite scarce late 19th century Chinese export pigskin wrapped rectangular trunk, with ornate decorative front hasps and tapered, tooled brass rod side lifting handles. The entire Chinese trunk is wrapped in a tanned pigskin covering on all six sides of the box and is hand painted with figures  on five side, with what appears to be an emperor and queen stepping out onto an ornately walled palatial terrace or veranda, overlooking a fanciful landscape of pine trees and mountains. On top of the box's lid, is painted another scene of what appears to be a member of royalty, perhaps a queen, being pulled by several ox or water buffaloes, with the image of a phoenix in flight in the foreground and two maned lions flanking her elevated wagon. Female attendants surround her, supplying her with every request, raised high in a curtained royal cart. To the right is what appears to be a male, perhaps a young suiter or the young emperor himself, emptying flowers from a basket in front of the procession, as if courting her with this overt display of affection. The front right corner of the pigskin leather covering has a few minor and shallow scuffs. These have not been 'in-painted,' nor has any attempt been made to disguise this damage and to remedy them. The painted pigskin leather covering on top of the trunk has some minor to moderate scuffing, no doubt from another object at some point being placed upon it and rubbing against it, perhaps while being used to travel in a carriage or passenger ship. This paint loss is most notable on the faces of several of the depicted figures on the top. The superb figuration on the front of the trunk is nearly unblemished. The trunk is otherwise in fairly well-preserved overall condition, considering it's now between 125-145 years old and was most likely used, as evidenced by the rubbing and slight scuffing of the top. The colors are largely undiminished and the figuration is superb. Without fractures, tears to the pigskin, deformities, water damage or other depreciating examples of damage. The inside of the box is not lined with silk or linen and remains quite clean. The pigskin covered bottom of the trunk is unpainted and has only a few minor scuffs, again demonstrating the trunk at some point, was at least used, if infrequently and wasn't only a purely decorative item. 100% original and untouched with all original painted surfaces and brass hardware featuring its naturally aged patina.  Truly magnificent and a beautiful late 19th century Chinese cultural artifact. Absolutely gorgeous.

CONDITION:

Good to Very Good overall antique condition.