Gorgeous & Rare Pair of Antique HONGMU CHINESE ICE BOXES Qing Dynasty, c. 1870

Description: *** Gorgeous & Rare Pair of Antique HONGMU CHINESE ICE BOXES Qing Dynasty, c. 1870 *** CHECK OUT OUR multi Award-Winning eBAY STORE with 1500+ estate fresh listings: We specialize in premium original period collectibles, with a focus on the French Empire, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau styles. Our paintings and sculpture range from the 17th C. to the modern era. Inspection of our merchandise is available by appointment in our Roger's Park (Chicago) gallery. * FREE PICK-UP IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA * INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AVAILABLE ITEM DESCRIPTION Up for your consideration is a exceptionally rare pair of Chinese Hongmu ice chests, Qing Dynasty (19th C.). The chests feature a top pair of hongmu panels with four carved shou characters. The square chest is made of solid and thick rare wood (hongmu). The square chest have flared sides, with a pair of brass handles. The chests measure 17.25" wide, 17.25" deep, and 13.5" wide. They weigh about 20 lbs each as hongmu is very heavy and dense. The chests are in excellent condition, and have aged well. There is some wear to the finish from use, but no scratches or chips. The brass shows some oxidation in places. There is some insignificant separation (less than 1/8" at the upper corners) of one chest, due to the normal drying of wood. It does not impact the structural viability of the piece. The last 3 pictures show the green oxidation to one handle, and the other two show the corners with the largest separations at the corner of the one box. The other does not have this concern. A near identical chest with a stand (same quality and wood type) sold at Christies for $16,250 (March 18, 2016, lot #1333). What is available here is a pair of these ice chests, but without the stands. Some general info:Ice chests, made in a number of materials including porcelain and cloisonné, are relatively rare and seemingly not represented in many modern day collections. Robert H. Ellsworth illustrates an example, then in his collection and now in a private collection in the Philippines, in ‘Chinese Furniture, Hardwood Examples of the Ming and Early Ch’ing Dynasties’, 1970, plate 147, page 231 where he ascribes it an early 17th century date. Another example from his collection in hongmu with a nanmu stand and slightly larger in size was sold at Sotheby’s New York, 18th March 2015, ‘The Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, Part II, Chinese Furniture, Scholar’s Objects and Chinese Paintings’ lot 189 ($137,000.00). Other examples are in the Palace Museum, Beijing (The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Vol. II, no.236, page 279, unusually in cypress wood), a lao huali example, originally the property of Sydney M. Cooper, illustrated by Gustav Ecke in ‘Chinese Domestic Furniture, 1992, plate 29, page 41 and another baimu (cypress wood) example from the collection of George Kates, illustrated in his ‘Chinese Household Furniture’, 1948, plate 105. SHIPPING COSTS/TERMS SHIPPING COST FOR THIS ITEM IS $145.00 This quote is for the Continental U.S. only, and the item will be sent via UPS or USPS. International Shipments are USPS, with prior approval (details below).This charge includes all costs including quality packing, shipping fees, & full insurance at the purchase price. RETURN/REFUND POLICY: We offer a full refund policy, but we must be contacted through eBay within 7 days after receiving the item. If a refund is requested, the buyer is to pay return shipping fees. The refund will be made once the item is back in our possession, and that it arrives in the same condition that it was sent. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: We can ship most of our merchandise internationally, but you will need to contact us prior to purchase for permission. International Buyers – Please Note:Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.”

Price: 7250 USD

Location: Chicago, Illinois

End Time: 2025-01-05T00:41:30.000Z

Shipping Cost: 145 USD