Chinese Red Lacquer 'Guanpixiang' Vanity Chest

Story

Vermilion red has been the color of joy and protection in China for millennia, and this chest was designed to be a centerpiece of a household's daily life.

Maker / Origin

While rarely signed by an individual, these chests were the product of specialized woodworking guilds that mastered the art of joinery without the use of metal nails.

Condition & Value

The lacquer shows significant 'honest wear' and thinning at the edges and base, which is expected for a piece of this age. The iron hardware has a heavy patina and some surface oxidation. These signs of use are actually desirable as they confirm the item's history and age.