Featured I need your guys help again !

Hi,

I'm about to buy the trunk/chest see pictures. It looks pretty old to me looking at the hinges etc. The chest itself is carved painted leather i'm told.

Does anybody have any idea what kind of trunk/chest this is ? I tried looking myself searching for the dragon and the snow lion on there but can't find anything similiar! Any help is appreciated.

Thanks !

 

Hi Walter! Since your post is new, could you go back in and EDIT your images, and click on the very TOP image that says POST AL IMAGES FULL SIZE, please? That will give everyone a better look at them....clicking on your thumbnails don't show as large as when they are posted FULL SIZE right in the forum! Thank you SO MUCH!!
BTW, it's a lovely looking chest....size?? and can you add the bottom and end pictures?? Again, thanks!!

 

Thanks... I found some similarities with petaca chests. Tabacco chests... spanish colonial chests etc. But nothing with dragons or lions on it... weird !

 

Believe what the tooling depicts is the double headed eagle used as a symbol in Eastern Europe. Most notably, as the symbol of the Austro-Hungarian empire. It's use was regional and extends into Germany, Poland, and Russia (and I assume other places). The chest itself appears beautifully made but am doubtful of true age. I see little to no evidence of wear or age to it. Perhaps other pictures could convince me otherwise.

 

It is Spanish, a 20th century replica. I used to see them a lot in Spain.
Lions are very Spanish, symbol of the royal house of Léon.
The double-headed eagle on top is also very Spanish, the symbol was introduced to Spain when it became part of the Holy Roman Empire under the Habsburg dynasty in the 16th century.
I don't see a dragon, but they are quite common in European imagery.

 

Here is the coat of arms of the Spanish province of Toledo, with the lions of Léon, the castles of the royal house of Castile, and the Habsburg double-headed eagle:

 

I found this imagine and to me it has quite a lot of similarities. The "S'' on the lock, the colors, the curves etc. Also I found another picture from the side from the chest. I understand about the wear it looks in excellent condition... but I do not have it in front of me to see about the tear.

 

I'm in Spain, so very likely it could be Spanish yes.

 

Any Jewelry, are you sure it's 20th century ?

 

I saw them in in those 'Arte de España' shops for quality Spanish souvenirs in the 60s-80s. Very nice quality, well made, and antiqued leather, just like yours. They were not cheap, all handmade, but not antique.
I don't know if those shops still exist, if they do they may still sell them.
Remember, a good replica should have all the features of an antique, just not the age.

 

ok... what you think it's worth ? Any guess ?

 

I have no idea. I think it is easier for you to find out, since you are in Spain. The last time I was there was in the 80s.

 

Haha ok... well I'm not saying im a specialist but this is the 4th trunk i'm buying. I'm always looking at this second hand pages and I haven't seen something similiar. Yes handcrafted leather trunks but not with colors or animals on it. I can get this for a 100 euros... what you do think ?

Have a look at the pictures of 2 other trunks I recently bought.

 

The two look extremely different to me. I back AJ on age. If you were in the US I would suggest it came from the Bombay Company or Pier One.

 

Hmm well... once I got it I will put pictures that are more clear. I can only find on the internet similiar items referring to the spanish colonial period. Maybe it's a replica of some sort but then it's not a cheap replica as I look at the heavy materials used. Thick wood, heavy handles etc. Anyway I will take the gamble.

 

Don't think we are looking at the toledo sign here, these are hindu mythology animals. Seadragon and makara crocodile ? Also the 2 headed bird is the 2 headed peacock I think, not the eagle ?

 

You are so sure because....?
You really don't want it to be Spanish, do you.
Sorry to disappoint you Walter, the style and imagery are very Spanish, I see no Hindu images anywhere. Besides, Hindus would generally have a problem with a cow leather covered chest.
Instead of searching for Hindu mythology, search closer to your Spanish home, visit a museum, castle or palace for instance. They are bound to have leather covered chests and leather wall coverings (like wall paper) with similar imagery.
If you'd rather have a Hindu chest, don't buy this one.

 

Here is the similiar chest goes for about 600$ on ebay.

 

The previous is a modern version of the one Im buying, different fittings, opening different etc. However it's being made in Peru. And there is a connection between Peru and Cordoba. After the colonial period Peru was the biggest leather trunk maker and these "petacas' where made with typical animals and flowers displayed on them.

The one above I think is an older version ... how much older I don't know but for example the metal bar that it holds open is looks definitely not machine made. Definitely Peru, but those animals on it I have to investigate better. There is also a parrot on the top and sides. I made their eyes red so it shows easier.