Cordovan Lacquered Hide Trunk

Derived from sap harvested from trees native to eastern and southern China, lacquer has been used for centuries to enhance and protect wooden furniture. Thin coats of the slow-drying substance were laboriously layered to create an even, opaque surface. Smitten with its soft luster, craftsman added carbon, ochre or cinnabar to enhance the lacquer with hues of black, yellow or red. This early 20th-century wood trunk from China’s Republic Period was sheathed in leather before the lacquer was applied. These protective layers furnished the trunk’s simple, square contours with a deep brown character which has become richer over time. Complemented by brass moon hardware, the lid lifts to reveal a label from the original maker's studio.