19th Century Chinese Trunk

19th Century Lacquered Chinese Trunk of the Qing Dynasty. Large wardrobe chest with worn red lacquer and hand gilt painting. Unlike most Traditional Trunks a very large lip – rim overhangs the top front of the Chest. A smaller opening to the top is designed for more subtle use with a large crescent latch. The sliding drawers and shelfs suggest storage of accessories in the two boxes, manuscript on the lower shelf and the larger storage for costumes, believed to have been an Imperial Opera Costume Trunk. The worn images on the front display scenes with characters in motion representing theater. Key Pattern (meander pattern) Symbolic of thunder and clouds borders the front of the chest. This symbolic pattern has been a steadfast theme in Chinese art from the beginnings of archaic pictographs representing thunder and clouds. These continuous patterns create a mesmerizing prayer that connects the artist and viewer with the natural world. Raised on an independent stand, meaning the stand with four legs is not attatched to the trunk. The Trunk sits inset on top of the stand. The trunk being raised of the floor is a presentation of high importance. Inside the top panel opens to two sliding box compartments would hold accessories. When these are moved to each side another shelf of also two flat panels act as shelfs would hold papers, sliding to each side which when opened will exposé a large false bottom compartment the full depth of the trunk. Beautiful alone as a decorative piece or stand for displaying large sculpture and or storage. In very good condition, nice patina, stand is a latter addition to the Trunk.