Beautiful handmade mid-century cabinet top wooden chest from Zanzibar.
It is made in the traditional style from intricately patterned carved mahogany (dark brown wood) and decorated with brass ornamentations.
The chest has storage space inside, with two compartments and two drawers underneath, which is ideal for storing jewellery and small trinkets.
The chest is in good, authentic condition and original from Zanzibar.
Height: 20cm
Length: 32cm
Width: 17cm
Top compartment
Big: 18 x 12 x 8 cm
Small: 7 x 12 x 7 cm
Drawers Interior: 10 x 6 x 4 cm
Since the age of sailing ships and spice routes, a Zanzibar chest has evoked treasure, mystery, and the legends of the East. They accompanied queens into exile and princes on conquest. A hard carved coffer plated with hammered metals, interior compartments and secret drawers, they were hard to make and harder to obtain. Their legends typically preceded them.
The Zanzibar chests were used by the rulers of Zanzibar, the Sultanate of Oman who were ousted by a revolution in the mid 60’s to transport their valuable personal belongings on their voyage to and from Zanzibar. The chests are still made today and typically hold dowries, spices, or family heirlooms.