Tibetan Trunk

Made of humble pine, this 19th-century trunk from Tibet once sparkled with vibrant color and a glossy lacquer finish. A layer of gesso was built up to create relief figures of two Buddhist deities amidst heavenly clouds, which were then painted with lively colors and accented with handcrafted hardware. The trunk may have joined another such item flanking an altar table, or tightly packed with clothing, bedding and other items. Still a vital storage piece, the chest tells the story of its past with a rich, dark patina.