Camphor Keepsake Box From Tianjin - 19th Century Small Mirrors This coffee table would have

This coffee table would have been used as a child's desk in the 19th century

With its softly faded paint and relaxed colonial style

white washed to fit into a contemporary home

this chest — or pataro in the local dialect — would once have held an elaborate dowry

Camphor Keepsake Box From Tianjin - 19th Century Small Mirrors This coffee table would haveTraditional Chinese camphor boxes were typically produced in sets and were uncarved. It was not until they began producing for the Western market that camphor chests became featured exuberant carving. This Chinese camphor box is from Tianjin and dates to the 19th century. Although larger Chinese camphor trunks were traditionally used for storing clothing, these smaller boxes would have stored valuable smaller items and this one has a tray to separate