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  • Red Lacquer Camphor Chinese Military Chest - 18th Century

    Red Lacquer Camphor Chinese Military Chest - 18th 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

    Red Lacquer Camphor Chinese Military Chest - 18th Century

    SKU:A01032

    £1,650

    We've only seen a handful of pieces like this in our 45 years of traveling Asia. Chests of this style are true transnational treasures that transcend borders and are barely documented. These red lacquer chests were made in Canton, China in the 18th century for the Anglo-Indian market and were used on East Indiaman trading ships plying the routes between China, India & Britain. They are the precursors to the more famous red leather camphor chests of the 19th century produced in Canton. 


    The 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 & 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.


    Whilst this chest is in good condition, most we find are in very poor condition because of their age with badly damaged paint & missing brass corners.

    On similar examples we've owned, we've found the date of 1710 inside one of the drawers. Whilst this can't be verified, it aligns with the dates that East Indiaman ships were in use.

     


    References:

    A near identical incorrectly dated example sold at Christie's "Alexandra Tolstoy: An Interior By Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler" for £4,750 in November 2020. 

    See similar chests featured in a gouache from the collection of Benjamin Ginsberg, featured in "Decorative Arts of The China Trade" 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. 


    From China


    UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40

    More delivery options available at checkout

    Dimensions: W107 x D55 x H59 cm


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    £1,650
    1
    1

    Free UK Delivery on orders over £100 

    Use code 'Delivery' at checkout

    In Stock - In Our Wiltshire Showroom

    Dimensions: W107 x D55 x H59 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


    We've only seen a handful of pieces like this in our 45 years of traveling Asia. Chests of this style are true transnational treasures that transcend borders and are barely documented. These red lacquer chests were made in Canton, China in the 18th century for the Anglo-Indian market and were used on East Indiaman trading ships plying the routes between China, India & Britain. They are the precursors to the more famous red leather camphor chests of the 19th century produced in Canton. 


    The 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 & 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.


    Whilst this chest is in good condition, most we find are in very poor condition because of their age with badly damaged paint & missing brass corners.

    On similar examples we've owned, we've found the date of 1710 inside one of the drawers. Whilst this can't be verified, it aligns with the dates that East Indiaman ships were in use.

     


    References:

    A near identical incorrectly dated example sold at Christie's "Alexandra Tolstoy: An Interior By Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler" for £4,750 in November 2020. 

    See similar chests featured in a gouache from the collection of Benjamin Ginsberg, featured in "Decorative Arts of The China Trade" 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. 


    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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