Original price
GBP £ 345
Converted price
Description
DeepL TranslateZhejiang, circa 1860
This unusual wooden barrel was produced in the city of Hangzhou in eastern China around the middle of the nineteenth century. Now quite rare, particularly in such good condition, it would originally have been used to store precious green tea leaves. It is made out of several interlocking panels, strengthened with two brass bands. The front panel is carved in relief to show a pair of bats (symbolising good luck) and, below them, a deer to represent long life. The handle is beautifully carved in the form of a pair of scaled dragons, and acts as an ingenious lock to ensure the barrel's valuable contents are not easily spilled, swivelling to one side to enable the lid to be removed. The quality of workmanship and carvings for what is essentially a storage container indicates the likely wealth of the original owner.
Last updated: 23/06/23
