Book Chest

 Dimensions: 28.75h x 22.5w x 16.75d
 Wood: Fir
 Origin: Anhui
 Period: Late 19th C
 Catalog#: MM 603

 

This is a mobile book chest used by scholars when they traveled.  Normally for scholars from wealthy families, they would have a young "book boy" who carried the book chest around for them.  For scholars who couldn't afford a "book boy", they would carry the chest themselves.  You will see a C-shape ring on each side of the side panel.  Special strings or leather would be used to go around the C-shape ring and the top of the chest.  The chest would be carried on the back of the book boy.  The door panels are decorated with low relief carvings of bamboo. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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