Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Chinese Painted Elephant Trunk Table, C. 1900

About the Item

This fantastic painted trunk from northern China is lavishly decorated from end to end in the Tibetan style with a rich palette of red, orange, and green. Raised outlines and layers of glossy lacquer lend the chest rich texture and catch the light beautifully. The front is painted with two white elephants, one of the seven treasures of the Chakravarti and a symbol of calm and strength of mind. Painted on the sides, and repeated throughout, are depictions of the "three jewels," representing the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, the means by which a Buddhist takes spiritual refuge. Painted on the lid is a mythical fu lion dog, also known as shizi, a benevolent guardian to protect the belongings stowed within. The chest is trimmed with a gold border painted with round jewels, scrollwork, and Shou longevity symbols, and reinforced with iron brackets. A statement piece in any interior, the trunk is elevated by a custom steel mount for use as a coffee, cocktail or side table.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Depth: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)
  • Style:
    Tibetan (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: TLA0591stDibs: LU820033925092
More From This SellerView All
  • Painted Chinese Kang Table with Stone Inlay, c. 1900
    Located in Chicago, IL
    During winter in the colder provinces of China, life revolved around the kang, a heated brick platform that household members would sit or recline upon. Placed on top of the kang, lo...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

    Materials

    Agate, Soapstone

  • Blonde Chinese Hide Trunk Table, circa 1800
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Blanket Chests

    Materials

    Steel, Brass

  • Chinese Low Painted Lacquer Table with Fish Chimes, c. 1900
    Located in Chicago, IL
    During winter in the colder provinces of China, life revolved around the kang, a heated brick platform that household members would sit or recline upon. Placed on top of the kang, lo...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

    Materials

    Elm

  • Petite Chinese Display Table, c. 1900
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Crafted of a beautiful dense hardwood, this petite table from the late 19th century is designed for displaying precious objects, such as fine porcelain, sculptures, or incense burner...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

    Materials

    Hardwood

  • Chinese Low Kang Table, c. 1900
    Located in Chicago, IL
    During winter in the colder provinces of China, life revolved around the kang, a heated brick platform that household members would sit or recline upon. Placed on top of the kang, lo...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

    Materials

    Elm

  • Chinese Melon Leg Wine Table, c. 1900
    Located in Chicago, IL
    An elegant example of the clean lines of Qing-dynasty furniture, this table from Hebei province celebrates the traditional wine table form with design that is simple and refined. Crafted of northern elm (yumu) using time-honored woodworking techniques, the table has a floating-panel top and four round legs linked by giant's arm braces. Each leg is carved in the shape of a melon or gourd, symbols of prosperity and perpetuity. This scalloped shape is echoed in the ridged apron and braces, a reference to older traditions of bent bamboo furniture...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

    Materials

    Elm

You May Also Like
  • Large Tibetan Red Painted Storage Trunk with Kirtimukha, circa 1900, Tibet
    Located in Austin, TX
    A powerful and impressive large and tall Tibetan orange red lacquer painted storage trunk featuring a Kirtimukha, Face of Glory, late 19th or early 20th century, Tibet. The large storage chest...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Furniture

    Materials

    Iron

  • Indonesian 19th Century Carved and Painted Trunk with Architecture and Foliage
    Located in Yonkers, NY
    An Indonesian carved and painted trunk from the 19th century, with architecture and foliage. Created in Indonesia during the 19th century, this trunk, ideal to be used as a blanket chest, features a rectangular lid that opens up to reveal a convenient storage space with side box. The trunk is adorned with a carved decor on the dovetailed façade, depicting a central architecture flanked with elegant trees. Accented with polychrome highlights including yellow and green tones, the trunk is raised on four bracket feet. With its nice proportions and skillfully carved decor, this 19th century Indonesian trunk...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Indonesian Blanket Chests

    Materials

    Wood

  • Chinese Laquered Brown and Gold Chest Decorated with Flowers, circa 1900
    Located in Beuzevillette, FR
    Charming Chinese chest in lacquered wood dating from the end of the 19th / beginning of the 20th century. This trunk is strongly marked by its Asian appearance, particularly at the l...
    Category

    20th Century Chinese Qing Blanket Chests

    Materials

    Wood

  • 18th Century Monastery Trunk
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    Category

    Antique 18th Century Blanket Chests

    Materials

    Wood

  • Monumental Antique Trunk Giant Blanket Chest
    Located in Somis, CA
    This is an extremely heavy, substantial, over scale trunk from Shan Xi province, China's ancient frontier. The completely solid wood trunk has a thick top that displays beautiful pat...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Chinese Blanket Chests

    Materials

    Iron

  • 19th Century British Colonial Trunk with Inlay
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    A handsome 19th century British Colonial trunk from Sri Lanka that features beautiful inlay detailing on the face and carved columns on the sides of the trunk. It also features beaut...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Blanket Chests

    Materials

    Wood

Recently Viewed

View All