Monumental Chinese Robe Trunk with Full Moon Lock, c. 1850

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 miscellaneous items, trunks were found in every room in the home and were often stacked on top of one another. This elegant pair of trunks...

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...

Scholarly pursuits such as painting, calligraphy, and poetry were a highly respected and revered subculture in ancient China, and demanded their own set of tools that were not only functional, but also beautiful. Scholars relied on inkstones such as this one to mix their dry inks with water for use in calligraphy painting. This stone inkstone is covered in intricate carvings of crashing waves, surrounding the image of a horse bearing a saddle. Covered in scales, the horse is likely a longma, or "dragon horse...

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...

Intricately crafted in the 19th century, this walnut kang chest showcases three doors inset with camphor panels, reminiscent of cartouche paintings. Often selected for its active gra...

This gorgeous black lacquer coffer from China's Hebei province may have begun its life as part of a dowry. Dated to the mid-19th century, the coffer was likely used as both an altar for ancestor worship and as a storage cabinet for clothes...

A brown leather bound wooden trunk with weathered appearance, brass lock and lateral C-scroll handles. This antique brown leather bound wooden trunk, a relic of another era, stands a...

This industrial looking metal flip top trunk sports a brass latch, corner clamps, metal handles, rivets on the lid surface, painted black interior, and metal banding around the base ...

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...

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period red lacquered blanket chest from the 19th century with metal edging and lateral handles. This 19th century red lacquered blanket chest is an exemplar of the Qing Dynasty period, characterized by its vibrant hue, metal edging, and distinctive lateral handles. Crafted meticulously, this antique Chinese chest...

This is an antique joiner's chest. An English, pine craftsman's trunk, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. A stout chest with Victorian appeal - ideal for use as coffe...

Marvelously hand-crafted chest from the late 1600s or early 1700s. One of the things that make antiques so appealing & attractive is the fact that most pieces were handmade in recognizable styles, with proven techniques AND with natural materials that could and would stand the test of time. The longer back in time we go, the more that seems to be the case. This amazing chest from circa 1680-1720 is clearly made in the Gothic Style with Gothic church window-like carvings. With Gothic style chests of this age being very rare, we were (and still are) very enthousiastic about finding it. Put together and strengthened with hand-forged, wrought iron brackets, nails AND with very large dovetails, the master carpenter provided the techniques that would guarantee the owner a chest that would last him (or her) a lifetime. As it turned out, his workmanship, in this case, created a chest that has already served some 15 generations. This heavy quality chest is made of solid elm and wrought iron only and the centuries of usage and natural aging have given this Gothic antique a patina that is simply heavenly. The striking and deeply hand-carved Gothic cathedral-like windows, but also the hand forged lock...