A HUANGHUALI AND TIELIMU SEAL CHEST, GUANPIXIANG 17th/18th century The chest of rectangular shape with a trapezoidal flat top opening to a shallow single tray, above a pair of well-figured, single-panel doors revealing five drawers fitted with metal pulls, the chest mounted with a circular lock-plate and a ruyi-form clasp, the sides set with bail handles, the whole raised on a flat base with corner mounts, the vividly-grained wood of amber tone. 33.5cm (13 1/8in) high. Footnotes: 十七/十八世紀 黃花梨拼鐵梨木官皮箱 Provenance: Acquired from Ho Cheung Antique Furniture, Hong Kong, circa 1995-2006. A Danish Private Collection. The direct translation of the Chinese term 'guanpixiang' 官皮箱 is 'official leather chest', suggesting its traditional role in storing official seals and documents. Yet, depictions in woodblock printed books indicate that these chests were also commonly found in households and could have been utilized by women to store cosmetics for dressing purposes. See a similar huanghuali seal chest, guanpixiang, which was sold at Bonhams New York, 10th September 2018, lot 94. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: Y Y Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the UK, see clause 13. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing