Antique Chinese Painted Trunk in Elm, 1900

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This antique Chinese painted trunk in elm wood is a dowry chest with a two-part sliding lid and a painted … Read more This antique Chinese painted trunk in elm wood is a dowry chest with a two-part sliding lid and a painted front. It originates from northern China, from the Qing dynasty, where elm was dovetailed and covered in ochre lacquer to receive the painting.Chests of this format belonged to the wedding dowry. They were delivered full of clothes and textiles, and afterwards stayed in the house as storage. The sliding lid, split into two boards running in a groove, allowed one half to be opened while the other served as a work surface.The case is solid elm, the corners joined with exposed dovetails. The boards of the front and sides are single pieces. The lid slides over rails cut into the upper edge. The base is reinforced with cross-battens.The front carries a central lozenge with a lotus spray (lian 蓮), emblem of purity, surrounded by butterflies (die 蝶), which by homophony allude to longevity. In the four corners, sprays of orchid (lan 蘭), chrysanthemum (ju 菊) and peony (mudan 牡丹), the queen flower associated with prosperity. A border of green scrollwork frames the whole and the corners are resolved with an angular fret. The palette is golden ochre, green and off-white.The ochre lacquer has darkened and gained a warm sheen. The green of the border has shifted to a muted tone that contrasts with the ground. Sides and back keep their undecorated red lacquer, with honest wear along the edges.It serves as a side table, a bedside piece or storage at the foot of the bed. Its compact format and painted face suit small interiors, where one piece of this kind is enough to give character. See less