{"product_id":"painted-opera-chest-from-shanxi-province","title":"Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi Province - 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis 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 19\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecentury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpera chests, including this one, are constructed from paulownia wood (t\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eong mu \/ 桐木) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of a daughter and were considered symbols of prosperity, fertility \u0026amp; 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 \u0026amp; enduring marriage. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe beautiful opera scenes that decorate the front of the chest were often allegorical. Chinese opera often depicted historical events and moral lessons and the paintings on these chests preserve traditional stories, history and artistic skills which otherwise might be lost to time. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is an undoubted fallacy surrounding opera chests which are often said to have been used by the traveling Shanxi Opera for carrying clothes and props. This is almost certainly untrue and an assumption by Western dealers inspired by the painted opera scenes that decorate the majority of this style of chest. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all our pieces, it has been sympathetically restored showing signs of wear and the marks of age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom China\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e UK 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":53551560229173,"sku":"C1964","price":635.83,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/C1964.jpg?v=1789233660","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/painted-opera-chest-from-shanxi-province","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}