If you collect antique hand crafted trunks or chests for their versatility, functionality and charm, this piece may be for you. From the collection of Charlean Jackson of Austin, Texas, the trunk is a great example of early “Texana.” It’s small, rustic and old — and it has great paint.
As the photos show, the trunk (or chest) is constructed of three-quarter-inch pine planks. The underside is rough-hewn with early square and irregular nails. The maker used both nails and dovetails at all four corners and crafted the lid with sturdy breadboard ends.
The trunk no longer has its tray and is also missing its lock and key. But the lid is attached with what appears to be the original hardware and an old, if not original strap to hold the open lid upright.
While this is a piece that’s been well used, it has no shortage of decorative appeal from the large hand-incised ”TX” on the underside of the lid, to the time-worn patina of the breadboard ends, to the old, dry and possibly original blue green paint that is, as my old dad would say, “the purple icing on the cake.”
Dimensions are 18” W x 12” D x 12-1/2” T. c. mid-19th century.
Photos were taken with and without flash.
SOLD