19th Century Northern Chinese trunk painted with the design of Kids Playing. 

Painted Chest Box with Children
Northern China, 19th Century
Polychrome on wood with metal fittings measuring at 12.25 in. H × 17.5 in. W × 11.75 in. D
This exquisitely painted wooden chest from 19th-century Northern China captures a joyful tableau of children in play a cherished motif in traditional Chinese decorative arts symbolizing harmony, vitality, and future prosperity. The scene is delicately rendered in rich, natural pigments that retain their vibrancy beneath a gracefully aged patina.Crafted with both beauty and function in mind, the chest features original metal fittings and hand-forged hardware, speaking to the artisan’s attention to detail and the box’s role in safeguarding treasured belongings. Its modest scale suggests domestic use, perhaps as a container for keepsakes or ceremonial items.
With its expressive figural imagery and warm, timeworn surface, this piece embodies the enduring spirit of Qing-era vernacular artistry, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the e