Antique Chinese painted pine chest – Dongbei, circa 1930

Antique Chinese painted pine chest, traditional storage furniture with monochrome decoration originating from Dongbei, dated around 1930. It comes from Dongbei in northeastern China, from the early 20th century, where pine was worked according to traditional carpentry without nails and decorated on the front with monochrome white paint on a vermilion background. In rural Dongbei homes in the early 20th century, storage chests were central pieces of the household trousseau. They contained clothing, textiles, and personal items as part of the marriage trousseau (jiazhuang), which is why they received painted decoration on the front, the only visible part when the piece was placed against the wall. They are part of the utilitarian tradition of northeastern China. Details. Dimensions: Length 78 cm – Depth 57 cm – Height 66 cm. Style: Painted Chinese utilitarian furniture. Materials and techniques: Solid pine, white paint on a vermilion background, wrought iron hardware; drop lid with hinges, traditional carpentry without nails, double Greek huiwen perimeter. Place of origin: Dongbei, China. Period: Late Qing dynasty / early Republic of China (circa 1930) Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Structure intact. Original patina and paint. Possible marks and signs of use. Wear consistent with age and use.