A quirky and rustic faux-painted cane metal trunk with typical trunk detailing – like the wood and metal “straps” that wrap around the piece. The trunk is lined with a lovely vintage floral paper, which is in really good condition.

Sugar Chest Southeastern Tennessee, Circa 1800-mid 1800’s

-Purchased from Rosemary Sampley at the annual Dolly Johnson Antique and Art Show. Claiming to be the largest and oldest antique show in the South West, it was founded in 1963 and ran for ~50 years at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth’s Cultural District.
(Highly reputable dealers traveled from many states, fiercely competing for a much coveted booth. Dealers were selected based on reputation and portfolio and strove to be honest for fear of loosing their spot. )

This is from my personal collection. I have owned it for 30 years. It has always been in an a/c, non-smoking house, away from sunshine.

A sugar chest is a chest, usually on legs, made of wood designed to hold sugar (circa early 1800s), when sugar was very valuable. As sugar was a sign of wealth, these chests would feature a lock to keep their sweet investment secure. They typically featured sections inside to separate light and dark sugars. A screen was often placed at the bottom of the entire chest to guard against insects.

Rosemary purchased this Sheraton Sugar Chest in Tennessee, but said they were used throughout the south, and are most often found in TN, KY, NC, AL, GA and even into VA., circa 1830, but as early as the late 1700’s.

As is so often the case, when a piece was originally painted, whatever woods were available would be combined to produced the final product.

The sides of the upper portion are all “one board”, meaning the trees were huge and very old to have produced such large boards. You don’t find “ one board” construction in modern furniture.

Rosemary purchased this chest in southeast TN, and believed it to be a Tennessee or Kentucky piece made of Pine and possibly Alder woods. A fountain-of-knowledge, Ms Sampley said these type of chest were functional, cherished pieces of furniture, that moved with their families—whether it was just the top portion going to town on the buckboard to return home with sugar or to another state for a new adventure. They often held a place of honor in the household.

This sturdy, tough little chest is comprised of a square (ish) dovetailed upper case with a hinged, molded (on 3 sides) lid.

The upper portion has one removable interior divider for light and a dark sugar. Some people used them to secure bottles in the different compartments.

The drawer is dovetailed (someone repaired or secured the dovetailing with a few nails)
The bottom is hand chamfered (hand hewed or hand shaved). There is some shrinkage in the bottom of the drawer and a crack that runs the width, but the drawer is functional and pulls in and out easily. I have a video if it would help.

-Metal pulls on drawer and metal plate over the keyhole (original lock is missing)

-The hardware is brass colored, I’m not sure if solid brass, but probably. Judging by the hardware and screws it was replaced at some point.

-A screen covers the base under the drawer.

-The chest rests on 4 tapering short legs with turned, Sheraton feet.

-The divider in top section is removable and a lovely walnut color.

-The finish is old, but as there are signs of previous paint, not original. It has not been touched by me.

Overall good condition with losses and wear to the original surface. See below list of imperfections, but study the pictures for condition as it is impossible to list everything in an almost 200 year old piece.
Feel free to ask for a video or more pictures if needed.

Dimensions:
28”H x 20.5”W x 19”D

Imperfections:

-Screen in bottom has scattered light stains on it visible from bottom. It is an old screen.

-I keep a leg glide or a felt pad under one leg because it will rock. I can’t tell why it rocks, no leg is the apparent culprit. .

-Wear is consistent with ~ 200 y/o age. It looks to be in very good condition for that age, but look at pic and judge for yourself.

-The remains of some green paint are seen in the inside of the top.

-Wear to the top, some age cracks, w/ one extending the whole width, but lid is still sturdy.

-Hardware has been replaced.

-The hinges are old, but I don’t know if they are original as I see some other probable hardware marks on the back by the right hinge.

-Lock not present on upper container, some minor hardware patches to top and around escutcheon. You can see there was some type of hardware in the center of the bottom drawer that has been removed and patched.

-50 cent size ding on left side that was present when I purchased it and may have been repaired as it matches the rest of the piece.

-10 cent size ding on the front, also matches finish.

-To be safe, I would say there are numerous scuffs and dings on the piece, consistent with age. It is quite attractive, in spite of ~200 years of age.

-Many times, the top section and the bottom section (drawer with legs) would be separate. This one may have been joined at one point or was built that way.

-Different type wood at top of drawer opening.

See pictures of the condition of the drawer. It opens and closes on runners well.

-There are some age cracks in bottom of the hand chamfered base of the drawer.

-An age crack in the bottom of the top portion, visible when the divider is removed.

-Appears to be made of different woods as often happened with painted pieces.

-Timeless lines and classic beauty allows it to mesh easily with many interior decor styles: European Farmhouse, Traditional, Transitional, Ranch, French Country, Boho, Country, Rustic High-Country, or eclectic Modern look.

A magnificent antique metal-bound solid teak wood damchiya marriage dowry chest with hidden compartments and beautifully aged patina!

Hand-crafted in India in the 19th century, most likely for Rajasthan royalty, very large scale, having turned finials, hinged panel top with hand forged iron hasp, open interior, next to hidden three small valuable compartments with concealed access, paneled sides with iron strapwork, rings, x-form decorative elements, as well as a secret lower compartment with concealed door, over carved scalloped apron, on primitive wooden wheels. circa 1830

Please note, the hidden compartments can by design be difficult to access.

HISTORY:
The damchiya was made at the request of the bride’s family in anticipation of the wedding. It contains the dowry, which is therefore all the property that the bride or the bride’s family gives to her husband at the time of marriage. It is a practice still widespread in India, although officially prohibited.

Traditionally, bride price could consist of silver, but also valuable textiles like silk saris, or gold or silver jewelry, or even brass pots. Nowadays, the dowry can very well materialize by the gift of a washing machine, or even a car!

After the wedding, once the bride moved into her in-laws’ house, the damchiya was often placed in the room of the newlyweds, as a quiet reminder of the newcomer to the household. It was then used as a storage space for bed linen, or for clothes.

They are made of solid wood, with exotic wood species readily available in India, such as teak (sagwan in Hindi) or rosewood (sheesham in Hindi).

Most damchiyas contain one or more compartments, sometimes even including a back door to keep more valuable items, such as jewelry or money, out of sight. Some hiding places are even hard to find! It has happened that our suppliers, after having themselves bought the damchiyas from private individuals, have found gold or particularly well-hidden jewels in these hiding places.

PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION:
From a prominent Dallas, Texas estate

Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Fine Antiques & Estates Auction catalog

DIMENSIONS: (approx)
48″ High, 65.5″ Wide, 34″ Deep

CONDITION:
A superb museum quality example, in very good original unrestored antique condition with nicely aged warm rustic heavily worn naturally distressed patina. Retaining original antique character and charm throughout, including scattered nicks, chips, minor losses, all wear consistent with age and indicative of use. Whatever was used as a primitive key has been lost to time. Strong, sturdy, stable, structurally sound. Presents well.

This listing is for a black lacquered wedding box/dowry chest.

This piece comes from Korea and it dates to the early 1900s.

This type of chest is called a “hahm ((함).”

In historical Korean tradition, prior to the wedding, the hahm would be delivered by a groom and his male friends to the family home of the bride. The box would contain gifts from the groom’s family in gratitude for allowing the bride’s hand in marriage.

This box has all of the traditional elements typically seen on hahm chests.

The metalwork depicts designs of lotus and pullocho (a type of fungus), signs of longevity.

The edges and detailing are colored with red, the color of celebrations and prosperity.

The top has the Chinese character for double happiness carved into the center. The front has the Chinese characters for luck (福) and longevity (寿) carved left and right.

As a result of Chinese influence, Chinese characters were historically used in Korea for formal writings and events.

26.25 x 14 x 14 inches

The Vintage Chinese Blue Cloisonné Lotus Hardware Red Lacquer Wood Trunk is a magnificent and timeless piece of Chinese craftsmanship that combines artistry, functionality, and cultural significance. This exquisite trunk embodies the rich heritage of Chinese decorative arts and is a testament to the intricate workmanship that has been cherished for centuries.

Crafted from solid wood, the trunk features a deep, lustrous red lacquer finish that not only adds a pop of vibrant color but also serves as a protective layer, ensuring the longevity of the piece. The red lacquer is meticulously applied, polished, and adorned with traditional Chinese motifs, which symbolize good luck, prosperity, and harmony.

One of the most striking elements of this trunk is its intricate blue cloisonné lotus hardware. The use of cloisonné, a decorative technique that involves the application of enamel to metal, creates a stunning contrast against the red lacquer backdrop. The lotus flower, revered in Chinese culture for its purity and spiritual significance, is meticulously rendered in vibrant shades of blue. The cloisonné technique adds depth and texture to the design, making the lotus hardware truly stand out.

Dimensions: w27″ x d21″x h22″
Origin: China
Material: Wood box, metal hardware
Condition: Vintage restore, quality made, wear out marks
Work: Handmade, ship in one piece