Treasures Within — Wooden Caskets, Boxes and Chests of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

In earlier times, caskets, boxes and chests were more than containers: they gave tangible form to cultural values and the ingenuity of everyday life. From small jewellery caskets and boxes for scholarly implements to larger clothing chests, their shapes and craftsmanship reflect a close attention to both beauty and function. Prized woods such as zitan and huanghuali were combined with carving, inlay and lacquer decoration, giving each object a distinctive character and cultural resonance. Focusing on wooden caskets, boxes and chests of the Ming and Qing dynasties, this exhibition invites visitors to discover the stories of daily life and artistic achievement preserved in their forms and finely worked details. (136 works)