Dark brown ‘Zitan’ wood, brass fittings. China, 18th century

A fine portable chest made of famous Zitan-wood (so-called ‘Curio box’). The rectangular cover with canted edges and with ruyi-shaped brass fittings. Inside with a shallow compartment above a pair of paneled doors opening to reveal four rectangular drawers arranged in two rows above a large central drawer. The sides with slim curved handles, on the left with two small circular plates with a chain, connecting the cover and lower section. The front with large circular lockplate and ruyi-shaped clasp. The body set on a tall rectangular base with plain sides. Upper and lower corners with brass fittings.

Shape: Rectangular cubic shape with canted top edge
Dimensions: 32,5 cm (height), 34 cm (length), 24 cm (width)
Condition: Good condition, very minor traces of age and use, minimal cracks, the central drawer with small restoration
Provenance: Canadian Private Collection
Literature Comparison: Cf. Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collections in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 2004, no. 48 and 48a.

十八世紀紫檀管皮箱
品相良好，極輕微的年代與使用痕跡，輕微裂縫，中央抽屜有小修復
加拿大私人收藏