Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19thC Tansu At the top of the

At the top of the door

The design was also popular in surrounding areas of North China

The panel has wall hangers fitted on the back

The back horizontal stretcher has been replaced some time in its life however it now has a rich patina

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19thC Tansu At the top of theThis vintage painted Chinese elm trunk is known as an Opera Chest and originates from Shanxi Province and dates from the late 19th century. Whilst most chests of this style are decorated with operatic scenes, this one is instead decorated with floral and bird scenes, framed by windowed scenes of elders in traditional Chinese clothing. Chests of this style are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu ) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of