Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial period, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A New Mexican petaca (traveling trunk) made of leather over wood with a cotton cloth lined interior and domed lid. It features straps with buckles, a brass keyhole plate, intact handles, and brass rivets studding the exterior and tooled patterning of interlocking geometric and linear patterns across the leather. The green end panels are entirely wood, but the thick leather is sewn and adhered over the rest of the piece. The inside is lined with patterned cloth and a compartment inside the lid is accessible via pivoting catches. Leather covered traveling trunks were popular throughout the Spanish colonies and their form were a blend of cultures: European leatherwork with Moorish influenced patterns that were often made in colony workshops known as obraje, that used Indigenous labor which also influenced some designs. Size: 25.75" L x 18" W x 17" H (65.4 cm x 45.7 cm x 43.2 cm)

Mary Caroline Montano, in her book "Tradiciones Nuevomexicanas: Hispano Arts and Culture of New Mexico," writes, "Some New Mexican chests were made with leather overlay, an influence of Mexico's Aztec Indians, who called their leather chests "petacas" (derived from the Nahuatl term "petlacalli," indicating the pre-Columbian interwoven strips of cane or palm fiber, and later, cloth and leather). The term is still used in New Mexico and southern Colorado." (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2001, pg. 103).

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#149492

Interior is in fair condition with mineral and earthen deposits and evidence of old rodent activity. Staining and discoloration with some odor from interior. Losses to brass lock bolt and straps. Missing brass rivets on exterior. Losses and chips to leather exterior. Hinges still function and opens easily.