Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century
This old painted Chinese trunk is known as an Opera Chest. It would be more accurate to call it a dowry chest due to the lack of any operatic scene on this chest. This style of Chinese chest is found exclusively in Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from the late 19th century.
Chests of this style are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu / 桐木) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of a daughter and were considered symbols of prosperity, fertility & marital bliss. Upon reaching maturity the tree would be crafted into furniture and given as part of a bride's dowry symbolising hope for a prosperous & enduring marriage.
Whilst most chests of this style are decorated with operatic scenes, this one is instead decorated with floral and bird scenes, framed by windowed scenes of elders in traditional Chinese clothing.
There is an undoubted fallacy surrounding opera chests which are often said to have been used by the traveling Shanxi Opera for carrying clothes and props. This is almost certainly untrue and an assumption by Western dealers inspired by the painted opera scenes that decorate the majority of this style of chest.
Like all our pieces, it has been sympathetically restored showing signs of wear and the marks of age.
From China
UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
More delivery options available at checkout
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Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century
Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century
This old painted Chinese trunk is known as an Opera Chest. It would be more accurate to call it a dowry chest due to the lack of any operatic scene on this chest. This style of Chinese chest is found exclusively in Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from the late 19th century.
Chests of this style are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu / 桐木) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of a daughter and were considered symbols of prosperity, fertility & marital bliss. Upon reaching maturity the tree would be crafted into furniture and given as part of a bride's dowry symbolising hope for a prosperous & enduring marriage.
Whilst most chests of this style are decorated with operatic scenes, this one is instead decorated with floral and bird scenes, framed by windowed scenes of elders in traditional Chinese clothing.
There is an undoubted fallacy surrounding opera chests which are often said to have been used by the traveling Shanxi Opera for carrying clothes and props. This is almost certainly untrue and an assumption by Western dealers inspired by the painted opera scenes that decorate the majority of this style of chest.
Like all our pieces, it has been sympathetically restored showing signs of wear and the marks of age.
From China
UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
More delivery options available at checkout
Original: $1,287.84
-65%$1,287.84
$450.74Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
This old painted Chinese trunk is known as an Opera Chest. It would be more accurate to call it a dowry chest due to the lack of any operatic scene on this chest. This style of Chinese chest is found exclusively in Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from the late 19th century.
Chests of this style are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu / 桐木) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of a daughter and were considered symbols of prosperity, fertility & marital bliss. Upon reaching maturity the tree would be crafted into furniture and given as part of a bride's dowry symbolising hope for a prosperous & enduring marriage.
Whilst most chests of this style are decorated with operatic scenes, this one is instead decorated with floral and bird scenes, framed by windowed scenes of elders in traditional Chinese clothing.
There is an undoubted fallacy surrounding opera chests which are often said to have been used by the traveling Shanxi Opera for carrying clothes and props. This is almost certainly untrue and an assumption by Western dealers inspired by the painted opera scenes that decorate the majority of this style of chest.
Like all our pieces, it has been sympathetically restored showing signs of wear and the marks of age.
From China
UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
More delivery options available at checkout
