This incredibly unusual Chinese chest dates from the early 18th century. These chests were used on East Indiaman trading ships plying the routes between China, India & Britain. This style of chest was made in Canton, China for the Anglo-Indian market.

We've only seen a handful of pieces like this in our 45 years of travelling Asia. They have always been in very poor condition because of their age with badly damaged paint & missing brass corners.

The shape of the chest and style is Anglo-Indian, as are the brass handles and drawer escutcheons, however, the brass corners are ruyi. The ruyi is the Chinese symbol for a ceremonial scepter symbolising power and good fortune in Buddhist and Chinese folk lore. The lock plate is a double headed eagle known as Gandaberunda or Berunda, a two-headed bird from Hindu mythology particularly prominent in South India.
The still intact red paint is vermillion and all of the brass fittings are original.
The brass escutcheon plate features a double-headed bird.

There is a date of 1710 inside one of the drawers, which can't be verified, but it fits in with the dates that East Indiaman ships were in use.

We suspect that this piece was brought back to Britain by a sailor or officer in the 18thC which would explain its unusually good condition.

It is constructed from camphor wood with pine drawer liners and a candle box.

From China

115 x 53 x 58 (wxdxh) cms

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