Black lacquered chest (a) with complete canvas cover (b). Chinese characters stenciled on top right of cover and left side below handle. Knotted rope tied over canvas cover (c). Canvas cover is cut and hemmed in front and on sides to match the chest's opening. It has been clumsily perforated in front to provide access to the chest's keyhole. The rope binding is looped through the iron carrying rings on each end of the chest; the rings protrude through prepared slits in the canvas. The rope is slipknotted in several locations, allowing it to be drawn tight. The lock face plate, clasp, and hinge are all hand-formed of brass. Hasp and lower half of face plate are deformed, as if punched out. There are the chest's top and bottom and an internal canvas arresting strap, connected at one end. The chest interior is lacquered similarly to the exterior and features a trademark (?) of red Chinese figures on a white background.

1989.001