This antique painted trunk in pine wood features a closed rectangular structure with hinged lid, hand-forged iron hinges and latch and a decoration with pink peonies and chrysanthemums framed by a border with Chinese key meander (huiwen 回紋). It originates from northern China, from the late Qing dynasty, where pine was worked using mortise-and-tenon joinery and finished with polychrome paint over a natural lacquer ground.
In traditional Chinese furniture, painted trunks were trousseau pieces — part of the bridal dowry — and stored textiles, festival clothes, documents and personal items inside. The painted decoration on the front, sides and lid was a statement of domestic prosperity and a vehicle for family auspicious symbolism.
The body is built in solid pine. The structure is a closed rectangular volume with a hinged lid mounted on hand-forged iron hinges, with a central iron latch. The joinery is mortise-and-tenon over an internal frame and the sides finish in a small lower moulding. The interior keeps the bare pine, while the exterior is fully painted.
The central panel holds a composition of pink peonies (mudan 牡丹) and branched chrysanthemums (ju 菊), framed by a border with Chinese meander (huiwen 回紋) in cobalt blue. The huiwen meander — oriental Greek key — symbolises eternity and uninterrupted continuity. The outer borders carry vegetal motifs in gold and red. The palette combines antique pink, ochre, green and cobalt blue over a dark ground.
With its contained size — around 85-90 cm in length — this trunk works as a bedside table, an auxiliary table or a central decorative piece in an entrance. It suits wabi-sabi, contemporary rustic, japandi and Asian-inspired interiors, where it brings a historical and narrative accent.
Details
- Dimensions: Length 91 cm – Width 60 cm – Height 56 cm
- Style: Qing Dynasty
- Materials and techniques: Solid pine; hand-forged iron hardware; mortise-and-tenon joinery; painting over natural lacquer ground.
- Place of origin: China
- Period: Late Qing dynasty
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1900
- Condition: Good. Original paintwork and patina preserved with honest wear. Wear consistent with age and use.
This piece is part of the curated collection of Amaru Antiques, Barcelona.
ONE OF A KIND PIECE
