Latin America, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. An antique wooden trunk created for a Mexican military officer and probably used to carry personal effects. It is hand painted with the Mexican coat of arms in the Mexican Republic style based upon the Aztec symbol for Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City) that references a legend that inspired the Aztecs to settle on a lake island. The image features an eagle holding a serpent in its talon and perched atop a prickly pear cactus which is generally shown growing upon a rock that rises above a lake. According to the Aztec legend, the gods told the people to build a city where they discovered an eagle on a nopal, eating a serpent. This image was painted on the front and side panels, although the painting on front panel is the best preserved. Size: 32.75" L x 16" W x 16.75" H (83.2 cm x 40.6 cm x 42.5 cm)

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection; acquired in Laredo, Texas in 2015; ex Monclolva, Mexico collection where there was a Spanish/Mexican presidio for a number of years

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#152219

The lid opens when one tips the chest back to release the latch. Age cracks and inactive insect wear as shown. Painted imagery is most visible on the front panel. Some glue visible on underside of lid. Perhaps