Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Antique Chinese Camphor Wood Chest w/ Bat, Dragon, Landscape, and Geometric Carvings

In Asian > Chinese Antiques > Show & Tell and Asian > Chinese Boxes > Show & Tell.
Tennessee123.'s loves79 of 178Vintage ring What is this Porcelain Doll???
7
Love it
0
Like it

Tennessee123.Tennessee123. loves this.
mikelv85mikelv85 loves this.
vcalvcal loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
dav2no1dav2no1 loves this.
Vynil33rpmVynil33rpm loves this.
See 5 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 1 year ago

    krysciobrad
    (185 items)

    Neat find at the thrift store. This “Not too large, Not too small” wooden chest made from Camphor wood or teak in China. Very interesting subject matter. I’ve read the more modern chests have minimal designs, while older chests have more intricate designs. The craftsmanship on these carvings are some of the best I’ve seen on the camphor boxes. To start I’ve never seen Bats on these pieces, I’ve read that bats are a symbol of marriage. Since they’re only two bats I’m wondering if it was a wedding box? Or Jewelry box, or even a travel vanity chest exported to Europe. The top center carving shows a beautifully done temple landscape. Near the drawers on each side are detailed carvings of dragons and clouds. In the mid-center another temple landscape. All these carvings are framed with geometric Yunwen designs. The hardware is brass and worn. The chest has a top latch door and two pulling drawers. The interior has a blue dragon design silk and many compartments for items. The smell you get when opening this chest is quite powerful (almost tobacco-like), what you’d expect from Camphor. The wood has a lacquered finish. Seems to have some age to it as well, the two bat carvings and top temple have cracks across them due to stress of age and elements, Wisconsin is a very humid state. As to the exact age it’s a mystery. I could say late 19th century to early 20th century and be told it’s mid-century. It’s just with the intricate carvings I though it was bit more special. Measures 18” long. Box is in great condition, albeit the cracks. But it’s a very structurally sound piece.

    Any other info would be greatly appreciated on this piece.

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Chinese Antiques
    See all
    UNUSUAL ANTIQUE CHINESE BLUE & WHITE DRAGON GLAZED DISH PLATE EARLY MING DESIGN
    UNUSUAL ANTIQUE CHINESE BLUE & WHIT...
    $1,125
    VERY RARE ANTIQUE 18/19THC CHINESE HUANGHUALI PAKTONG STACKING PICNIC BOX
    VERY RARE ANTIQUE 18/19THC CHINESE ...
    $346
    VERY RARE ANTIQUE CHINESE JUNYAO RED BLUE FLAMBE BRUSH WASHER BOWL SONG DYNASTY
    VERY RARE ANTIQUE CHINESE JUNYAO RE...
    $670
    RARE ANTIQUE CHINESE GUAN WHITE CRACKLE GLAZED FOOTED CENSER SONG YUAN DYNASTY
    RARE ANTIQUE CHINESE GUAN WHITE CRA...
    $639
    logo
    UNUSUAL ANTIQUE CHINESE BLUE & WHITE DRAGON GLAZED DISH PLATE EARLY MING DESIGN
    UNUSUAL ANTIQUE CHINESE BLUE & WHIT...
    $1,125
    See all

    Comments

    1. dav2no1 dav2no1, 1 year ago
      Bats represent longevity and fertility

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.