Antique Painted Dowry Chest in Pine, Central Europe, 1850

Details

Description

This antique painted dowry chest in pine is a polychrome folk trunk with a flat lid and a decorated front, … Read more This antique painted dowry chest in pine is a polychrome folk trunk with a flat lid and a decorated front, on bun feet. It originates from central europe, from the mid-nineteenth century, within the tradition of the painted marriage chest.

the dowry chest kept the bride’s trousseau and presided over the bedroom as a piece of prestige in the rural home. Its painted decoration gave it a festive and symbolic value.

the body is solid pine, with a flat lid, iron handles and turned bun feet. The structure keeps its original paint across the whole surface, with wear consistent with its age.

the front and lid are painted with flower vases and floral borders on a coloured ground, in a folk polychromy of reds, greens and ochres. The vase of flowers symbolises the prosperity and fertility of the new home; inside the lid appears the ihs monogram, of devotional character.

for its format and decoration, it serves as a chest at the foot of the bed, an entrance piece or a storage piece with decorative value. It fits rustic, country and eclectic interiors, where it brings colour and narrative.

details

dimensions: length 161 cm – width 73.5 cm – height 67 cm
style: painted folk
materials and techniques: solid pine; iron handles; bun feet; polychrome painted decoration.
place of origin: central europe
period: mid-19th century
date of manufacture: circa 1850
condition: good. Retains original paint with wear and losses consistent with age. Wear consistent with age and use.


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