Hungarian Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest in Original Paint

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Hungarian Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest in Original Paint

About the Item

This handsome hand-cut dovetailed trunk is in the form of a faux mule chest, that is, the lower front panel is designed to simulate a drawer front. Each front corner is adorned with a split baluster mounted between a boldly fluted base and corbel. The remarkable feature of this piece is the paintwork, for it is not only a practical and versatile piece of traditional furniture. It is also an outstanding example of Hungarian folk art. The ground is a vivid blood orange. On the sides are abstract waves or cloudbursts in black paint and wash. The upper front panel has three bouquets of stylized flowers and buds, the centre one surrounding an iron escutcheon plate. Rarely have we seen such a display of vibrant colours in floral paintwork. There is red, white, yellow, and black. There are blues and greens melting into each other. There are petals and leaves and pearls of white, and such a cacophony of colours that it’s magic just to gaze into them. This theme is repeated in two garlands on the false drawer front . The applied fluted moldings are flecked with little floral gems. The trio of similar bouquets on the top is bordered with bobbins of black paint. The paintwork here is somewhat darkened and worn through well over a hundred years of use, but it still retains almost all of its lovely decoration. The two-board top lifts on long iron strap hinges, hooked at the ends, to reveal a deep storage well with full candle box and lid in the upper left. This outstanding trunk is in almost completely original condition with only one or two hardly visible repairs to the front and side bottom edges. The four turned feet are replacements.

Dimensions:
Height: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Width: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Depth: 44 in (111.76 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Pine,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
Hungary
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1850
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Very good sturdy condition with wear consistent with age and use. See description for details.
Seller Location:
Baltimore, MD
Reference Number:
Seller: JCL011stDibs: LU881510887593