Red Lacquer Camphor Chinese Military Chest - 18th Century

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

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