Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Material - Elm For a similar example see

For a similar example see page figure 50

Materials: Hand-carved granite

highly durable

These were passed down the family from one generation to another and used for rolling chapatti

The scene is framed by gilt painted animals

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19th Century Material - Elm For a similar example seeThis 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