Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi Province - 19th Century Religious Item 90 x 40 x 152

90 x 40 x 152 tall (w x d x h cms)

It dates to the late 19th century

and offers a fascinating glimpse into the visual language of traditional astrology

138 x 55 x 82 (wxdxh cms)

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi Province - 19th Century Religious Item 90 x 40 x 152This old painted Chinese trunk is known and often referred to as an Opera Chest. 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