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  • Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi Province - 19th Century

    Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi Province - 19th Century

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    Trade & Wholesale

    Our origins are in wholesale, so from movies to restaurants, retailers to architects, we have a long history of supplying our trade clients with unusual and unique oriental furniture & decorative art. 

    Whether purchasing for resale or buying on behalf of a client, we offer trade discount pricing to:


  • Retail Stores
  • Interior Designers
  • Film & Photo Studios
  • Architects
  • Event Producers

  • For all trade and wholesale enquiries please email us with your contact and business name, company registration number & VAT number (if applicable) to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Prop Hire

    Looking for that one off iconic piece for an event or requiring props for a filming or a photography shoot? You will have seen our oriental antique furniture & decorative art in the James Bond films, The Golden Compass and many others.


    For all prop hire enquiries please send emails to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi Province - 19th Century

    SKU:C2067

    £895

    This old painted Opera Chest depicts scenes of the traditional Chinese opera. This style of Chinese chest is found exclusively in Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from the late 19th century.

     

    Opera chests, including this one, are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu / 桐木) 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 symbolising hope for a prosperous & enduring marriage. 

     

    The 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. 

     

    There 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. 

     

    Like all our pieces, it has been sympathetically restored showing signs of wear and the marks of age.


    Dimensions:

    91 x 57 x 64 (wxdxh cms)

     

    From China

    UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
    More delivery options available at checkout

    Dimensions: W91 x D57 x H64 cm


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    £895
    0
    0

    Free UK Delivery on orders over £100 

    Use code 'Delivery' at checkout

    In Stock - In Our Wiltshire Showroom

    Dimensions: W91 x D57 x H64 cm


    Free UK Delivery on orders over £250 

    Use code 'Delivery' at checkout

    In Stock - In Our Wiltshire Showroom

    Shipping & Warranty

    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    This old painted Opera Chest depicts scenes of the traditional Chinese opera. This style of Chinese chest is found exclusively in Shanxi Province in Northern China and dates from the late 19th century.

     

    Opera chests, including this one, are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu / 桐木) 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 symbolising hope for a prosperous & enduring marriage. 

     

    The 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. 

     

    There 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. 

     

    Like all our pieces, it has been sympathetically restored showing signs of wear and the marks of age.


    Dimensions:

    91 x 57 x 64 (wxdxh cms)

     

    From China

    UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
    More delivery options available at checkout


    Shipping & Warranty

    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    Trade & Wholesale

    Our origins are in wholesale, so from movies to restaurants, retailers to architects, we have a long history of supplying our trade clients with unusual and unique oriental furniture & decorative art. 

    Whether purchasing for resale or buying on behalf of a client, we offer trade discount pricing to:


  • Retail Stores
  • Interior Designers
  • Film & Photo Studios
  • Architects
  • Event Producers

  • For all trade and wholesale enquiries please email us with your contact and business name, company registration number & VAT number (if applicable) to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Prop Hire

    Looking for that one off iconic piece for an event or requiring props for a filming or a photography shoot? You will have seen our oriental antique furniture & decorative art in the James Bond films, The Golden Compass and many others.


    For all prop hire enquiries please send emails to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

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    DISPATCH

    • - Non-furniture Delivery: 2-5 working days

    • - Furniture Delivery: Within 1 - 2 weeks

      (We'll call you to arrange a specific delivery date)

    • Free UK mainland delivery on orders over £250 | Use code "DELIVERY" at checkout

    RETURNS

    • - Hassle Free Returns

    • - Return your order within 28 days for a full refund (excluding delivery charges)

    • - Items must be returned in a resalable condition

    • - Collections can be arranged on request

    • Product Specific delivery charges visible above "Add to Basket" button and in Checkout (scroll up)

    • Additional charges may apply for deliveries to highlands, islands, out of area deliveries and collections. 

    • International Delivery: Please contact us for quotes on individual pieces

    Shipping & Warranty


    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    DISPATCH

    • - Non-furniture Delivery: 2-5 working days

    • - Furniture Delivery: Within 1 - 2 weeks

      (We'll call you to arrange a specific delivery date)

    DELIVERY

    • - Small items: £7.50

    • - Medium Sized items: £15

    • - Fragile Medium items: £20

    • - Small Furniture items: £40

    • - Furniture & Large Items: £80

    RETURNS

    • - Hassle Free Returns within 28 days for a full refund (excluding delivery charges)

    • - If you are not happy with your order, send it back with our delivery drivers. 

    • - Items must be returned in a resalable condition

    • - Collections can be arranged on request

    • Product Specific delivery charges visible above "Add to Basket" button and in Checkout (scroll up)

    • Additional charges may apply for deliveries to highlands, islands, out of area deliveries and collections. 

    • International Delivery: Please contact us for quotes on individual pieces at enquiries@indigo-uk.com, Livechat or calling +44 1672 564722

    Free UK mainland delivery on orders over £250 | Use code "DELIVERY" at checkout

    • GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY ON ALL ANTIQUE PIECES

    • 100% SAFE AND SECURE CHECKOUT WITH SHOPIFY

    • FREE NO QUIBBLE RETURNS

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