18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details

A Massive Camphor (Zhangmu) Storage Chest, Yilong
18th/19th Century
Of generous rectangular form, the exterior mounted at each end with two 'ox-nose' bail handles suspended from circular bosses and falling to bosses of conforming shape, and at the front with two circular brass lockplates set flush with the surface, the wood of a rich honey-brown tone
276in. (70cm.) high, 68in. (172.8cm.) wide, 333/8in. (84.8cm.) deep, wood stand

Provenance

The Inger McCabe Elliott Collection.

Lot Essay

A similar example in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is illustrated by C. Clunas, Chinese Furniture, London, 1988, p. 90, no. 78, where the author notes that camphor wood, known to repel insects, was often used in the manufacture of furniture used for storing textiles.

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