Guatemalan Folk Painted Chest

This colorful painted trunk dates to the mid-20th century and was lovingly crafted by traditional folk artisans in Guatemala. Ideal as a blanket chest, the wooden trunk is crafted of pine board and lavishly decorated with floral motifs in a palette of red, green and yellow. Intricate geometric designs were achieved by artfully scraping away at a sheer layer of lacquer in the manner of sgraffito, revealing the golden-yellow pigments beneath. Additional hand-painting over top adds charming detail, such as the two green vases filled with white-petal blossoms.