{"product_id":"very-large-chinese-antique-camphor-trunk","title":"Exceptionally Large Camphor Trunk From Hebei - Early 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a fabulously \u003cstrong\u003elarge antique Chinese camphor trunk\u003c\/strong\u003e from the \u003cstrong\u003eearly 19th century\u003c\/strong\u003e. This original piece is carved from large planks of camphor wood and has its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal brass hardware\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is \u003cstrong\u003efrom Hebei province in Northern China\u003c\/strong\u003e, either Beijing or Tianjin city. \u003cstrong\u003eCamphor \u003cem\u003e(Zhāngmù (樟木 \/ changmu)\u003c\/em\u003e was the preferred wood of the wealthy\u003c\/strong\u003e, the smell of camphor discouraged moths and other insects making these chests perfect for storage of silks, bedding and textiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis style of camphor chest has existed in China since the 16th century with ceramic tomb models having been excavated from this period. \u003cstrong\u003eIt has a \u003cem\u003echejiao \u003c\/em\u003e(meaning cart base) removable base\u003c\/strong\u003e. The high relief carving on the base leads us to a period of early 19th century (circa 1820).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stand features \u003cstrong\u003etwo facing foo dogs (protective animals)\u003c\/strong\u003e carved in high relief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA near identical example can be found in the Victoria \u0026amp; Albert Museum collection (FE.77:1-1983) and is published in Chinese Furniture, V\u0026amp;A Far Eastern Series, 1988 by Craig Clunas, Plate No 78.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA similar inferior example in different woods can be found in \"\u003cem\u003eChinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques\u003c\/em\u003e\" by Mazurkewich - Fig 518\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Indigo Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8026151387164,"sku":"C5377","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0217\/2522\/products\/chests-and-boxes-exceptionally-large-camphor-trunk-19thc-1.jpg?v=1610298051","url":"https:\/\/www.indigo-uk.com\/products\/very-large-chinese-antique-camphor-trunk","provider":"Indigo Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}