Colonial Teakwood Arab Chest
Late 19th centuryPeople owned a number of chests. The many moves from post to post undertaken by the trading companies officials in the course of their careers made the chest an indispensable item of furniture in every household. They were mainly used for storage, but due to their striking appearance also served as a display of wealth by the owner.
A well preserved chest of solid plank construction in teakwood, beautifully decorated with brass. The term “Arab chest” more correctly denotes ownership rather than provenance. In reality, early chests were trade items collected by Arabs from the ports on areas on the west coast of India. They were mainly used for storage on ships during transport or in houses to store valuables.
Arab chests are of boarded construction with front, back and sides butted together and nailed. No screws or glue are used. All four sides of the chest have quality applied decorative brass sheeting designs.
Find out more about Colonial Chests.
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Bombay
British colonial India
H: 52 cm W: 110 cm D: 53 cm
H: 20 ½” W: 43 ¼” D: 20”
