{"product_id":"red-lacquer-teak-sino-indian-chest","title":"Red Lacquer Camphor Wood Chinese Chest - 18thC","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis incredibly unusual Chinese chest dates from the early 18th century. These chests were used on East Indiaman trading ships plying the routes between China, India \u0026amp; Britain. This style of chest was made in Canton, China for the Anglo-Indian market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've only seen a handful of pieces like this in our 45 years of travelling Asia. They have always been in very poor condition because of their age with badly damaged paint \u0026amp; missing brass corners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shape of the chest and style is Anglo-Indian, as are the brass handles however, the brass corners are ruyi, the symbol for a ceremonial scepter symbolising power and good fortune in Buddhist \u0026amp; Chinese folklore. The lock plate is a double headed eagle known as Gandaberunda or Berunda, a bird from Hindu mythology particularly prominent in South India.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a date of 1710 inside one of the drawers, which can't be verified, but it fits in with the dates that East Indiaman ships were in use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe suspect that this piece was brought back to Britain by a sailor or officer in the 18th century which would explain its unusually good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is constructed from camphor wood with pine drawer liners and a candle box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSee similar chests featured in a gouache from the collection of Benjamin Ginsberg, featured in \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDecorative Arts of The China Trade\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\" by C L Crossman - Colour Plate 92. In the same book, Crossman refers to the double headed eagle escutcheons being found only on the rarest of chests. See plate 137. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom China\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e115 x 53 x 58 (wxdxh) cms\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands \u0026amp; Islands £80\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMore delivery options available on checkout\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53551598698805,"sku":"M535","price":1987.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/M535__1638349127_81.140.174.208.jpg?v=1789233906","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/red-lacquer-teak-sino-indian-chest","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}