Hand-Carved Camphor Wood Chest Low-Relief — Chinese Export Scenic Trunk (Mid-Century)

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:57:21 +0000

Stamped KWONG WAN – HONG KONG, this mid-century camphor chest reflects Hong Kong’s post-war carving boom. Low-relief panels kept the surface smooth for linens or coffee-table use, while fragrant camphor oil naturally protected textiles. Surviving stamped, utilitarian-grade chests are rare compared with later tourist “high-carve” boxes.rnrnHong Kong & Kowloon Art-Carved Furniture & Camphor-Wood Chests Merchants Association, est. 1961 — documents growth of HK camphor-chest export trade (source: Industrial History of Hong Kong).rnrnCamphor wood’s insect-repellent oils noted in Chinese furniture guides (e.g., Ming-Qing Hardwood Furniture, 2015).rnrnComparable stamps (“Kwong On, Hong Kong…”) on mid-century chests confirm export origin practice (marketplace archives).rnrnOnline sales data (eBay, Chairish) show almost exclusively high-relief tourist models; low-relief “linen grade” examples seldom appear.