Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Material - Coral is Poplar and Cedar

is Poplar and Cedar

turned corner finials

Takhats were Indian daybeds and usually were larger

Blue: W11 x D11 x H34 cm

This dramatic teak dowry chest - Damchiya- in it's original unpolished- condition

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Material - Coral is Poplar and CedarThis old painted Opera Chest depicts scenes of traditional Chinese opera. This style of Chinese chest is found exclusively in Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from the late 19th century. Opera chests, including this one, are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu ) 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