Chinese Chests & Trunks
At Zitan Chinese Furniture, one of the items that we specialise in is the Camphorwood chest. Few other sites have them. These wonderful items have a fantastic history.
They were almost by definition used by people who lived on boats. The camphorwood lining helped to preserve the contents from humidity and moth attack. Their carvings tell us something of the owner. A chest which is completely floral would have belonged to a woman. If the chest has sea scenes or landscapes then it would have belonged to a man, and if the carving or decoration showed the dragon and phoenix, the symbol of marriage, then the chest would have been a wedding gift.
In addition to these special chests, here at Zitan, we have rice chests, painted Tibetan chests and other varied items. Some were medical chests for use at home containing the herbs and remedies for first aiid care. Beautiful leather pieces are also available.
There is currently a problem with the credit/debit card facility on the site. We are addressing that urgently. If you wish to purchase items please call the shop on 01848-330758 and we can take all your card details.
LE-016 Small Pine Chest from Ningbo in China
LE-011C Dragon and Phoenix Camphorwood chest
LE-141 Black lacquered antique trunk
LE-189B Red butterfly box
LE-11F Small heavily carved camphorwood chest
LE-011B Black lacquered carved Camphorwood Chest
LE-113 Dome Topped Medical Box
LE-050 Plain desktop stationery box
LE-054 Round leather scroll box with an attractive domed lid.
LE-103 An inlaid desk top stationery box. 
LE-109 A small wedding dowry box.
LE-147 Cantonese desk top stationery cabinet
LE-011H Camphorwood chest with elegant carving
LE-011A Man's heavily carved camphorwood chest
LE-120 Antique rattan book trunk
LE-052 A small leather decorated scroll box 
LE-104 A dome shaped wooden pillow box