Antique chest painted in pine wood – China, circa 1930

This ancient painted chest made of pine wood features a painted composition on the front with peonies, butterflies, and birds on an ochre yellow background, and sides in vermilion red. It originates from north-western China, from the late Qing dynasty, where the pine was crafted using a mortise and tenon joint assembly. In traditional Chinese furniture, painted chests were trousseau pieces — they were part of the bridal dowry — and contained textiles, festive clothing, and personal items inside. The yellow palette with auspicious motifs was common in north-western China and along the border with Inner Mongolia. The lid opens via top hinges, providing vertical access to the contents. The body is constructed from solid pine. The structure is a rectangular volume closed with a hinged lid, mounted with mortise and tenon joints on an internal frame. The front hinge is made of wrought iron. The sides are uniformly painted in vermilion red, and the front features a central panel in ochre yellow with pictorial decoration framed by a dark blue-green border. Details. Dimensions: Length 79 cm – Depth 55 cm – Height 60 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; wrought iron fittings; mortise and tenon assembly; painting on an ochre yellow background with floral, butterfly, and bird motifs; sides in vermilion red. Place of origin: China. Period: Late Qing Dynasty / Early Republic. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Good. Original paint preserved with slight wear on the edges. Wear consistent with age and use.