- Title
- Trunk with Scrolling Lotus
- Date Made
- 18th century
- Medium
- Wood with mineral pigments, gilding, and gesso on cloth; brass fittings
- Dimensions
- Height: 17 1/4 × 42 × 15 in. (43.82 × 106.68 × 38.1 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.2010.78.5
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
The central panel on the front of this elegantly designed and exquisitely painted trunk features a scrolling lotus with five burgeoning blossoms executed in gold and gesso on a cinnabar red background painted on cloth. There are cloud-form corner designs in dark green with gold outline. A wide painted border around the central panel continues on the front edge of the trunk lid. The border is decorated with horizontal lotus scrolls similar in design to that in the central panel, except for the scrolling lotus on the lid to the right of the brass locking hasp and clasp plate in the form of a lobed cartouche. That design element differs from the rest in that it also has a flaming wish-fulfilling gem in a bowl supported by the lotus. There are brass corner protectors in the upper and lower front corners and brass reinforcement fittings. The sides are painted red without any designs. The cloth on the topboard is worn away so that only the bare wood is visible with its dovetail joints. See also M.2010.81.3.
