Red Painted Trunk From Shanxi - Ca 1900 Long Sideboards solid and decorative

solid and decorative

A five headed naga cobra can be seen at the top of the plaque

Mongolian Sideboard - this piece has original painting Mongolian Sideboards were usually made from locally sourced wood

The door ring pulls are held in place by fantastical beasts

Red Painted Trunk From Shanxi - Ca 1900 Long Sideboards solid and decorativeThis old red painted Chinese trunk is from Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from circa 1900. This chest is constructed from painted 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 crafted into furniture and given as part of a bride's dowry symbolising hope for a prosperous & enduring