Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Wall Art Its time-worn lacquer finish gives

Its time-worn lacquer finish gives it an understated

If an unfinished work breaks during carving

while the gentle wear and patina speak to decades of handling and use

Often described in the West as a “wedding cabinet”

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Wall Art Its time-worn lacquer finish givesThis old painted Chinese trunk is known as an Opera Chest. It would be more accurate to call it a dowry chest due to the lack of any operatic scene on this chest. This style of Chinese chest is found exclusively in Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from the late 19th century. Chests of this style are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu ) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of a daughter and were considered symbols of