Reverse Glass Treasure Chest

c. 1850
$980 USD
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Dimensions
W: 23.5" D: 12.0" H: 12.25"
Materials
Materials
Paint
Northern Elmwood
Lacquer
Glass
Purchase Quantity
Collection #
M090
Estimated Shipping
$75

As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th-century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with relief carvings and delicate gilt paintings. The doors bear inset reverse glass panels painted with finely dressed women holding objects of scholarly pursuits, including a book, a weiqi board, a qin, and a painted scroll. The doors are further decorated with low relief carvings of floral scrollwork and secured by a brass plate in the shape of a phoenix-tail vase. The surrounding frame is hand-painted with auspicious objects and offering fruits and the top with lotus flowers and leaves - a symbol of purity, perfection and summer. This lacquered table chest is a colorful example of reverse glass portraiture, and looks lovely on display as a jewelry box or tabletop cabinet.

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Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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