This wonderful chest is typical of furniture produced in the central Chinese province of Shaanxi. It is in a typically robust style, with thick frames and panels, but finely decorated with ornate, deep carvings finished in bright colours.

Each of the of the coffer's six drawers features deep carvings in floral patterns and is studded with heavy iron hardware. The carvings would originally have been in bright reds, blues and greens to contrast against the deep black lacquer surrounding them. Over the years these colours have faded to much more subtle, muted tones that would fit more easily into a more neutral interior scheme.