Yuan Chest

Made around 1850 at the end of the Qing dynasty, a period defined by its more restrained style, this two-door chest emulates the more expressive decoration of the Song dynasty. Made of solid elmwood, the chest is adorned with high-relief carvings, flaring spandrels and ornately carved feet. Low chests like this would have been filled with the daily needs of a 19th century Chinese home so that they would be close at hand at any moment.