Cowhide Trunk c. 1937

Harry Mann Waddell rendered this Cowhide Trunk using graphite, watercolor, and gouache, capturing more than just an object. It embodies the essence of journeys, secrets, and personal history. The trunk, adorned with cowhide, evokes primal connections. The animal skin reminds us of early cultures where animal hides were not just material but symbols of protection, status, and survival. Think of the nomadic tribes, whose lives were intertwined with the animals they herded, their shelters and stories woven from hides. The initials "D.E." emblazoned on the trunk act as a personal seal. These monograms appear throughout history, from royal crests to simple marks of ownership. These symbols create a tension between public display and private identity, echoing the complexities of self-expression. This object is more than a container, it's a vessel of cultural memory.