{"product_id":"brass-studded-teak-zanzibar-chest-1","title":"Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest From Surat  - Early 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful Indian 'Zanzibar' chest dates to the 19th century and is an excellent example of a Surat style 'Zanzibar chest'. Made from solid teak wood and clad in brass. These chests were made in Surat in Gujarat by Parsees and used as dhow trade chests on ships for transporting spices like pepper and cloves, Indian cottons, gemstones. The main trade hubs were Diu, Surat, Basra, Zanzibar \u0026amp; Bombay hence these chests being found across much of the Arab Gulf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's plenty of misinformation surrounding Zanzibar chests and many mistakenly believe their origins to be in Zanzibar \u0026amp; the Arab Gulf. The thorough work in '\u003cem\u003eThe Arab Chest'\u003c\/em\u003e by Sheila Unwin suggests this chest to be a Category 1, Surat Type 1 which would date this chest between the early \u0026amp; mid 19th century - earlier than most of the Zanzibar chests on the market. It bears many similarities to the chest depicted on the front cover. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular chest is unusual in style as it features early Shiraz style rhomboid mounts. Unwin notes on page 75 this style of plaque is found only on Shiraz chests making this unique. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chest is decorated with brass studs and corners with brass lifting handles on the sides. As a trading chest, this piece has a large storage area complete with a candle box. Three additional drawers run along the bottom adding more storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFor further reading see '\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Arab Chest'\u003c\/em\u003e by Sheila Unwin. Note the similarities with the article pictured on the front cover. \u003cbr\u003eSimilar chests have come up for auction at Christie's auctions. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom India\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK Delivery Charge - except Highlands \u0026amp; Islands £40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMore delivery options available at checkout\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53550865809717,"sku":"M908","price":2265.27,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/M908.jpg?v=1789232203","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/brass-studded-teak-zanzibar-chest-1","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}