Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Origin - Cambodia protecting the original hinges

protecting the original hinges

Autumn 1992

This is one of the best examples of the style we've seen in 45 years

Each one is unique - wired and PAT tested in the our own workshop in the UK

It is likely that it would have been recessed into a wall in a home and used for the reading of daily prayers

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Origin - Cambodia protecting the original hingesThis 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