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ID #SA1052794
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Zanzibar Chest
Sold by Jane Short Antiques
sold SA1052794
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Jane Short Antiques

Jane Short Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2020
Browse dealers 186 items
  • About Us
    30 years of expertise in 17th- to early 20th-century furniture and fine art
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Zanzibar Chest

19th century
Sold 14 November 2025 · Jane Short Antiques
This “Zanzibar Chest” found a buyer.

It was listed by Jane Short Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Antique Maritime ChestSpice ChestZanzibar Chest Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

A very good example of a traditional late 19th Century teak Zanzibar chest. Decorated all over with brass stud work together with beaten brass and panels. The three drawers have their original handles and the side carrying handles are also original. The interior has a candle box and heavy brass hinges.

This is one of the best examples of an antique Zanzibar chest which we have found.

These chests were traditionally made in Zanzibar and sometimes used as dowry chests. More often they were used to ship silks and spices between Zanzibar, India and the Arab countries. The decoration is similar to that found on the famous doors of Stonetown in Zanzibar.

We can discuss delivery options in UK mainland.

Payment by bank transfer, PayPal or card via telephone.

Physical Dimensions
Height
48cm (18.90")
Width
110cm (43.31")
Depth
48cm (18.90")
Declaration

Jane Short Antiques has dated this Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1052794
Dealers Internal Reference
A0424
Description
A very good example of a traditional late 19th Century teak Zanzibar chest. Decorated all over with brass stud work together with beaten brass and panels. The three drawers have their original handles and the side carrying handles are also original. The interior has a candle box and heavy brass hinges.
fig 1. A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles.
fig 1. Zanzibar Chest

This is one of the best examples of an antique Zanzibar chest which we have found.

These chests were traditionally made in Zanzibar and sometimes used as dowry chests. More often they were used to ship silks and spices between Zanzibar, India and the Arab countries. The decoration is similar to that found on the famous doors of Stonetown in Zanzibar.

We can discuss delivery options in UK mainland.

Payment by bank transfer, PayPal or card via telephone.

Height
48cm (18.90")
Width
110cm (43.31")
Depth
48cm (18.90")
Date of Manufacture

Jane Short Antiques has dated this Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1052794
Dealers Internal Ref
A0424
Jane Short Antiques
Jane Short Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2020

30 years of expertise in 17th- to early 20th-century furniture and fine art

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Jane Short Antiques Profile Page

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A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Zanzibar Chest

Archive II A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View II
Archive III A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View III
Archive IV A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View IV
Archive V A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View V
Archive VI A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View IX
Archive X A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View X
Archive XI A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View XI
Archive XII A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View XII
Archive XIII A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View XIII
Archive XIV A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View XIV
Archive XV A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Jane Short Antiques

Jane Short Antiques
Telephone 07850 937057 or 07540 126714
Location
Sudbury
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/janeshort
Verified Since Mar 2020
Items For Sale 186
Items Sold 956
Jane Short Antiques
Jane Short Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/janeshort
Verified
Mar 2020
For Sale
186
Sold
956
A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles.
Zanzibar Chest
Ref: SA1052794
A rectangular dark wood storage chest featuring elaborate geometric patterns of brass studding, corner brackets, and three lower drawers with drop handles.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectStorage Chests
  • Period19th century
  • StyleSwahili / Omani
  • MaterialWood, Brass
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsBrass studding, Geometric strapwork, Hasps and lockplates, Drop handles
  • SizeH 48 cm (19 in) x W 110 cm (43 in) x D 48 cm (19 in)

FAQs

Zanzibar chests, also known as Omani chests, are traditional wooden storage trunks crafted in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, heavily influenced by maritime trade and Swahili culture.

These chests are typically constructed from dense hardwoods like teak or rosewood, traditionally embellished with intricate brass sheet work, studding patterns, and geometric fittings.

Authenticity is indicated by hand-hammered brass tacks, traditional mortise and tenon joinery, aged patina on the wood, and hand-cast hinges and hasps rather than modern machine-made hardware.

Position the chest as a focal point in a living space to store blankets, or use it as a coffee table to add global texture and historical character to contemporary schemes.

Maintain the piece by keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat sources, dusting regularly with a dry cloth, and occasionally applying microcrystalline wax to protect the wood and brass.
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