[Paboberto]

I wouldn't paint it unless I really knew what I wanted with it especially if it's leather. What makes it a good prop is that it is easily recongnizable and has lot of assumed attributes to it that you can play with or break. I would use it like a small trunk, a place to keep stuff, and pull things out of like posters, papers, pictures, puppets, props, and pidgeons. You could also twirl it, balance it, stand on it, hide behind it, throw it up in the air, spin it, use it as a hat, a umbrella, a puppet stage, and if worse comes to worse you can put legal documents in it. Also it is great place for a unexpected spring snake attack. Have fun with it!