Painted Black Shanxi Chest Bag narrow neck and ring handles

narrow neck and ring handles at the sides were common to this type of piece and the vases are etched with ancient Chinese calligraphy

This deeper

more natural colour of the wood

The trunk has a simple brass clasp fitted to allow it to be secured and is a good size to be used as a side table next to a sofa or bed

The inside sections would have held rice

Painted Black Shanxi Chest Bag narrow neck and ring handlesShanxi, circa 1900 This pretty, painted trunk is of a type used by opera troupes in China to store their props and costumes. The trunks would be brightly painted with various designs often showing scenes from operas but also with flowers. In this case the central section is painted with water lilies or lotus flowers, set within a frame of square scrolling patterns that were common as a motif on Qing period and later furniture. More flowers and vases