Small Square Trunk c. 1940

Regina Henderer created this watercolor, entitled "Small Square Trunk" at an unknown date. The image shows a small square trunk with a handle on top. The trunk may be read as a symbol of wealth and status in late 19th and early 20th century America, where it signified the ability to travel for leisure and business. The trunk is decorated with brass hardware, which suggests that it was made for someone of means. The trunk could have been used to carry clothing, jewelry, or other personal belongings. This artwork is a valuable resource for social historians. It provides insight into the material culture of the past and how objects were used to express identity and status. Historians might study trade catalogs and travel ephemera to learn more about the trunk and its cultural context. Art becomes a window into social structures and belief systems.