Studded Travel Trunk – 18th Century – China – [ME126]
This studded travel trunk originates from the mountainous region of Hubei, also known as the Province of a Thousand Lakes, situated in central China. It was the cradle of one of the oldest Chinese civilizations, the Erligang culture. The ochre and green hues that surface are original. The interior has been painted red, the most popular colour in China symbolising luck, happiness, and fire. Upon closer inspection of the facade, vertical inscriptions in Chinese characters can be discerned. The rings are loops for the ropes that allowed this travel trunk to be carried through the rugged mountains of Hubei, either by man or mule. The studded iron fittings reinforcing its corners enabled it to withstand shocks and reach us in a beautiful state of preservation.
Dimensions: Length: 80 cm, Height: 32 cm, Depth: 34 cm
Reference: [ME126]
This studded travel trunk originates from the mountainous region of Hubei, also known as the Province of a Thousand Lakes, situated in central China. It was the cradle of one of the oldest Chinese civilizations, the Erligang culture. The ochre and green hues that surface are original.
The interior of this 18th-century Chinese trunk has been painted red, the most popular colour in China symbolising luck, happiness, and fire.
Upon closer inspection of the facade, vertical inscriptions in Chinese characters, also known as sinograms, can be discerned.
Who can decipher the sinograms traced on this precious travel trunk, tossed about in the Chinese mountains in the 18th century? For now, it keeps its secrets and its beautiful Chinese red patina inside.
The rings are loops for the ropes that allowed this travel trunk to be carried through the rugged mountains of Hubei, either by man or mule. The studded iron fittings reinforcing its corners enabled it to withstand shocks and reach us in a beautiful state of preservation.
