Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19thC Material - Mulberry Wood ritual oil lamp form

ritual oil lamp form

They became incredibly popular with the American market between 1910 / 50 and were therefore shipped all over the world from the workshops in Sarouk which is a village located 30 miles north of the city of Sultanabad (today called Arak) and is famed for it's looms and weavers

A rare example of a Painted Elm Sideboard From Mongolia - late 19thC

In case they needed to reverse quickly

Date: Late 20th century

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19thC Material - Mulberry Wood ritual oil lamp formThis vintage painted Chinese elm trunk is known as an Opera Chest and originates from Shanxi Province and dates from the late 19th century. Opera chests, including this one, are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu ) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of a daughter and were considered symbols of prosperity, fertility & marital bliss. Upon reaching maturity the tree would be crafted into furniture and given as part of a bride's dowry