Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese: Chests

A Chinese chest can improve the look of any room, in addition to providing storage space and serving as a conversation piece, especially if it’s an antique. A chest can function as more than just storage, it can be used as a coffee or side table, or it can simply be on its own, with collectibles displayed on top as well as stored inside.

If you’re after the look of an authentic antique Chinese chest, first examine your budget. An antique Asian chest can cost a great deal, depending on its age and the period in which it was created, and of course, on its condition. The price can also depend on the intended use for the chest. While many were created simply as beautiful storage pieces, many were designed for a specific purpose, like to hold blankets or books, and some have drawers for hiding away small items. Some feature a single compartment, some are designed to be quite tall and some were designed to have a low profile.

Chests and trunks were used by the Ancient Chinese to store almost everything they needed, from food to bedding. They often stacked chests on top of one another, with the highest chests containing those items used regularly, and lower chests holding things used only occasionally for convenience. The Ancient Chinese considered this an efficient method, to eliminate time spent searching for items. A Chinese chest is likely to feature drawers of some type, an invention attributed to the Chinese and their sense of neatness and efficiency.

A true ancient Chinese chest will be made of wood, usually camphor or elm because these woods repelled insects and fungi that can destroy wood over time. Tropical wood is often used today that’s imported from other Asian countries, and is often painted black or red featuring landscape scenes. New Chinese chests are sometimes even made from steel which can last longer than wood and is less expensive. But authentic ancient chests will be wood, with a simple design, and decorative handles and hinges. Some things do vary by period, though. For instance, a Chinese chest made during the Ming Dynasty will be more ornate than those constructed during some other periods. Handles, locks and hinges as well as other accessories on the chest would most likely be made from precious stones, brass or copper.

If you’re looking to buy a Chinese chest, a local dealer is a good starting point, even if only for research. Research online to find the popular attributes of the time period you’re looking for. And if you shop online on eBay for instance, ask the seller many questions about damage and repair to see if the piece has been altered.

A Chinese chest can cost $150 or thousands of dollars. While the lower priced authentic chests aren’t going to be much more than their reproductions, the older chests than range from several hundred to thousands of dollars are probably best passed over for reproductions, unless you’re purchasing for the investment rather than the aesthetic.

Photo Credits: taiyofj

Originally posted 2008-10-31 14:00:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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