Antique Chinese painted pine chest – China, circa 1930

Antique Chinese painted pine chest, traditional storage furniture with polychrome decoration originating from Dongbei, dated around 1930. It comes from Dongbei in northeastern China, from the early 20th century, where pine was worked according to traditional carpentry without nails and decorated on the front with polychrome painting on a vermilion background. In rural Dongbei homes in the early 20th century, storage chests were central pieces of the domestic trousseau. They contained clothing, textiles, and personal items as part of the marriage trousseau (jiazhuang), which is why they received painted decoration on the front, the only visible side when the piece was placed against the wall. They are part of the utilitarian tradition of northeastern China. Constructed from solid pine. The drop lid opens on original wrought iron hinges. The edges feature a metal reinforcement band, and the traditional carpentry is done without nails. Details. Dimensions: Length 87 cm – Depth 56 cm – Height 60 cm. Style: Painted Chinese utilitarian furniture. Materials and techniques: Solid pine, polychrome painting on a vermilion background, wrought iron fittings; drop lid with hinges, traditional carpentry without nails, perimeter huiwen Greek pattern. Place of origin: Dongbei, China. Period: Late Qing dynasty / early Republic of China (circa 1930) Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Structure intact. Original patina and paint. Possible marks and signs of use. Wear consistent with age and use.