18th century, pine construction with allover light and dark wood veneers arranged in geometric patterns; iron wire hinges and a thin sheet iron latch to the front; the lid's underside has a faint mid-19th century incision reading "Sarah C Norflet / Suffolk Va."
5.25 x 2 1/8 x 2.25 in.
A photograph of this exact doll trunk appears opposite page 64 in Edith Tunis Sale's Old Time Belles and Cavaliers (Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Co.,1912). The image is captioned "The Doll Trunk of Martha Dandridge Washington Now in the Possession of Mrs. P. J. Kernodle, Richmond, Virginia." A first edition of the book is included with the trunk. It should be noted that Mrs. Louise Kernodle married Peter Jefferson Kernodle in Suffolk, Virginia, which is where the trunk was incised. It would be reasonable to surmise that Mrs. Kernodle acquired the trunk during her time in Suffolk.
By descent to the consignor from his Great Great Grandmother Bettie Kernodle Williams, sister-in-law of Mrs. P. J. Kernodle

Minor veneer losses; deep age patina to exterior surfaces; latch and hinges no longer functional.