Large Antique Chinese Wooden Merchant's Chest or Storage Box, Late Qing - Export Seal
Antique Hand Made Chinese Wooden Merchant's Chest. The dovetailed case has a hinged top opening to a large storage area with two small drawers at the bottom. Original distressed lacquer finish with a larger central scenic medallion on the front (possibly a temple or large building) plus three further hand written calligraphy panels barely visible beneath the layers of wear & patination built up over the approximately 140 years of use. This travelling chest has no doubt many tales to tell.... Such patination is not found on newer more recent items/reproductions.
Side brackets to facilitate strap handles and an interesting calligraphic insignia on the back hand painted over an orange diamond shape.
Metal clasps and mixed wood construction.
Marked with the calligraphic insignia on the back and old export wax seal from the Chinese Antiquities Authorities.
Boxes/chests of this age are rare in this condition. Can be used to store for example wine bottles!
Qing Dynasty. Circa 1880.
Listed by East2West Furniture, Florida.
16 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" deep x 19" tall.
10 pounds.