Age of trunk? Finish?

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/stories/articles/2004/2/23/tips-trade-leave-finish-alone/

Is this what you are asking?

 

Maybe Finnish

 

No, I think he means what is the finish. Like alligator. I don't think it is real alligator, just made to look that way.

 

Duh. All the faux alligator I've ever seen the pattern is obviously repeated. This doesn't look man made. But not sure.

 

Tell us what you know about it @EZEL

 

I think it's old dried paint/stain/leather?, damaged by heat and water and age.

 

I don't know. This is 80 year old sun beaten to death leather.

 

But we don't know if EZEls box is leather, or what...because he posted and disappeared! There has to be a word for it. I had a plant on top of my antique secretary and it grew to where it was hanging down the side. When I finally moved it, it had damaged the wood, making it look...like that box, sort of, scaly? burned? melty? I don't know what the word is but maybe your leather was cared for to some extent? Or, did not experience water damage? Or maybe it's just wood...but I am pretty convinced. Now, I have to find the darn word!!

 

Crackled @flipper

 

Sort of like this, maybe? Not so severe. Dang, I can never find things when I need them.


Here's some dry, cracked leather...and dry cracked paint on wood.

 

Sorry, I have no history on it. I was guessing late 1800’s homemade but the finish is making me question that thought. I can’t find a similar looking pic of a trunk.

 

Looks like the paint for sure, but mine has sort of a leathery texture to it just doesn’t seem like paint.

 

looks like pattern one might find on a leaf.....

 

Don't keep us guessing more than we have to...what is it made of? All wood? Leather on wood? Paint on wood? Paint on Leather?

 

I would like to see the inside also. Plus what are the measurements?

 

I think it could be Elephant shin.

 

35"x18.5"x18.5" I have looked with a magnifier and believe its old paint, just odd the way it weathered i guess.

 

Think this is at least late 19th century. Could very well be alligatored paint due to temperature extremes over time. Some people covet such an original finish. Do not strip it off. Too bad about the missing chunk of wood on the front.