Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19thC Blue & White Porcelain Ganesh has an elephantine countenance

Ganesh has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being

Decorative Scheme: Bogutu (Hundred Antiques) composition with scholar’s objects and auspicious emblems

made as both decoration and talisman

42 x 42 x 155 (w x d x h cms)

Painted Opera Chest From Shanxi - 19thC Blue & White Porcelain Ganesh has an elephantine countenanceThis vintage painted Chinese trunk is known as an Opera Chest and originates from Shanxi Province and dates from the late 19th century. Opera chests, including this one, are constructed from paulownia wood (tong mu ) Paulownia trees were often planted at the birth of a daughter and were considered symbols of prosperity, fertility & marital bliss. Upon reaching maturity the tree would be crafted into furniture and given as part of a bride's dowry