Chinese Wooden Trunks – Practical Beauty with Heritage
A Chinese wooden trunk offers more than just a place to stow away belongings; combining a rich patina with subtle carving and unmistakable character, this timeless piece of furniture brings together function and tradition, making it ideal for modern living. At Shimu, we offer a carefully chosen range of Chinese wooden trunks, from antique originals to handcrafted reproductions, each designed to bring a touch of unique heritage into your home.
Traditionally, in Chinese households a wooden trunk was a treasured possession, often given as a wedding gift or used to store precious items such as clothing, textiles, and family heirlooms. These pieces were made to last, both in materials and meaning, and the same remains true today. Whether you use one as a blanket chest at the foot of a bed, a coffee table in the living room, or as a storage piece in a hallway, a well-made trunk will become a treasured possession you’ll love for many years to come.
Antique Chinese Chests and Trunks
Many of the trunks in our collection fall under what’s commonly referred to as an antique Chinese chest. These are individually sourced from across China, restored where necessary by expert craftspeople who retain the original joinery, patina and finish. Each chest shows signs of its previous life, from faded lacquer to natural wear in the wood grain, making every piece unique.
One of the most sought-after styles we offer is the camphor wood chest. Camphor, native to parts of China, is prized for its durability and fragrant aroma, which naturally repels insects; one of the main reasons it was used historically to store clothing and linens. With its rich, golden-brown tone, a camphor chest works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Our Chinese blanket chests are a popular choice for bedrooms or guest spaces. Low and wide in shape, they often sit comfortably at the end of a bed, offering discreet storage and a pleasing visual weight. The simplicity of their design adds to their charm, and most feature a lift-up lid with minimal hardware and gently worn surfaces, evoking the understated elegance found throughout vintage Chinese furniture.
Newly Made Oriental Storage Trunks
While each antique piece is one of a kind, we also offer newly made options that honour the traditional styles. Our handcrafted oriental trunks are built using the same time-tested techniques as their antique counterparts, with dovetail joints and solid elm construction. These trunks are ideal for those who want the look and feel of an original but in a size or finish tailored to contemporary homes.
The oriental storage trunks we select or produce are designed to showcase the grain of the wood rather than masking it. Often, you’ll notice slight irregularities in colour or texture—subtle details that reveal the care taken whilst they are being made. Many feature traditional metalwork such as lock plates or simple drop handles, chosen to complement the clean lines rather than distract from them. Placed in the right setting, a decorative wooden chest makes a wonderful focal point to a room; contrasting with soft furnishings, and offering a perch for folded throws, books or ceramics.
Buy Chinese Wooden Trunks at Shimu
A traditional oriental storage trunk is the ideal way to combine both practicality and character. Whether antique or newly made, these pieces are as versatile as they are beautiful, combining old and new to create stylish pieces for contemporary interiors. Our range of Chinese wooden trunks is available to order from our website for convenient delivery directly to your home. Alternatively, why not come and see us at our light and airy showroom, which is located in Albion Mills, Greengates, West Yorkshire?
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