Cosmetic Chest Item Number: 3559/49 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Large chest (part a) with hinged lid, rectangular handles on either side, secured with ornate clasps, and on wooden wheels. Interior has thin compartments on either side, with hinged lids; removable tray fits in between compartments (part b). Chest has metal inlayed decorations across front; back and sides are undecorated. Designs consist of two rectangles framing a central circle with an "A" inside it. Rectangles are filled with curvilinear, geometric and dot motifs. Additional curvilinear designs around keyhole and clasps. Rectangular metal panels are attached to edges on front of chest. Large cutouts along bottom edges on all sides, in centre; left and right side cutouts are semi-circular, front is scalloped, and back is trapezoid-like. Interior of chest lid has a raised design of four columns with five alcoves in between. Outer alcoves have circles filled with flower petals, inner alcoves are empty, and central alcove has a square mirror; columns are filled with flower-shaped pieces of cloth and sequins. Removable tray inside chest is divided into six sections; two vertical ones on either side, two horizontal ones in middle with two small square ones in between larger horizontal sections. Top centre section has a hinged lid. Linear, floral, curvilinear, and geometric motifs carved throughout interior.
Would have been used by a wealthy Thai woman; early 20th century.