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ID #SA1244611
FOR SALE
£250
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Antique Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest
For sale by In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
for sale €293     $318
£250
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2016
Browse dealers 244 items
  • About Us
    Selling good quality victorian, georgian and earlier furniture, accessories & decorative items. Ashburton, devon. LAPADA member
  • Trade Associations
    In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1244611
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Antique Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest

1900 - 1920
Description

A good example of a traditional Zanzibar chest dating from the late 19th / early 20th century. It is made from a dense exotic hardwood and is decorated with shaped brass sheets and brass studs forming traditional geometric patterns. It has metal carrying handles and the hinged lid opens to a large storage area below a series of segmented compartments.

It is in good condition and is strong and sturdy with a beautiful rich patina. There are signs of age and use, some small chips and knocks, some minor splits and wear in the brass and a few missing studs but no major losses or damages. There have been a few old repairs here and there but nothing detrimental and the interior is generally clean and tidy. It has been lightly cleaned and polished and is ready for use.

The best description comes from the photos so please look at them all carefully and if you have any questions just ask.

Tracked UK Delivery £20

Date of Manufacture

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors has dated this Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest to the 1900s.

Independent Date Check ID 09712277
Dealer's Item Date1900s
Sellingantiques Date1900s
Sellingantiques agingItem 95-150 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1900s:
Hand-cut brass strapping and punched bosses: traditional decorative metalwork around 1900.
Wrought-iron drop handles: dark oxidisation from decades of handling.
Solid hardwood interior dividers: bench carpentry before modern sheet materials.
Natural shrinkage gaps around the brass casing: longstanding timber movement.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions
Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
54cm (21.26")
Depth
33cm (12.99")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1244611
Description
A good example of a traditional Zanzibar chest dating from the late 19th / early 20th century.
“
It is made from a dense exotic hardwood and is decorated with shaped brass sheets and brass studs forming traditional geometric patterns.
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

It has metal carrying handles and the hinged lid opens to a large storage area below a series of segmented compartments.

fig 1. A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel.
fig 1. Antique Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest

It is in good condition and is strong and sturdy with a beautiful rich patina. There are signs of age and use, some small chips and knocks, some minor splits and wear in the brass and a few missing studs but no major losses or damages. There have been a few old repairs here and there but nothing detrimental and the interior is generally clean and tidy. It has been lightly cleaned and polished and is ready for use.

The best description comes from the photos so please look at them all carefully and if you have any questions just ask.

Tracked UK Delivery £20

Date of Manufacture

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors has dated this Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest to the 1900s.

Independent Date Report ID 09712277
Dealer's Item Date1900s
Sellingantiques dating1900s
Sellingantiques agingItem 95-150 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1900s:
Hand-cut brass strapping and punched bosses: traditional decorative metalwork around 1900.
Wrought-iron drop handles: dark oxidisation from decades of handling.
Solid hardwood interior dividers: bench carpentry before modern sheet materials.
Natural shrinkage gaps around the brass casing: longstanding timber movement.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
54cm (21.26")
Depth
33cm (12.99")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1244611
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2016

Selling good quality victorian, georgian and earlier furniture, accessories & decorative items. Ashburton, devon. LAPADA member

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors Profile Page

Trade Associations

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel.
1 / 14
Archive I A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel.

Antique Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest

Archive II A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View II
Archive III A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View III
Archive IV A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View IV
Archive V A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View V
Archive VI A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View VI
Archive VII A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View VII
Archive VIII A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View VIII
Archive IX A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View IX
Archive X A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View X
Archive XI A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View XI
Archive XII A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View XII
Archive XIII A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View XIII
Archive XIV A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
Telephone 07800 561 203 or 01364 654 648
Location
7 North Street
Ashburton
Devon
TQ13 7QJ
United Kingdom

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/nutshell
Verified Since Aug 2016
Items For Sale 244
Items Sold 3,789
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
Verified Since Aug 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: 7 North Street, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7QJ, United Kingdom, , Opening hours:, Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/nutshell
Verified
Aug 2016
For Sale
244
Sold
3,789
A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel.
Antique Brass Studded Zanzibar Chest
Ref: SA1244611
A dark wood storage chest embellished with dense brass studs, geometric brass plates, and decorative metal handles on the front panel.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectStorage Chest
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleAnglo-Indian
  • MaterialWood, Brass
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsBrass studding, Geometric brass plates, Drop handles, Metal corner braces
  • SizeH 26 cm (10 in) x W 54 cm (21 in) x D 33 cm (13 in)

FAQs

Zanzibar chests originated along the Swahili Coast and trade routes connecting East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India. Maritime traders used these heavy wooden coffers to secure valuables and textiles during Indian Ocean voyages.

These chests are typically constructed from dense hardwoods such as teak or rosewood, which resist marine environments. Decorative elements consist of hand-hammered brass studs, pierced brass sheet cladding, and cast iron or brass carry handles.

Authentic period examples feature hand-cut brass geometric plates, uneven hand-punched studs, and traditional iron latching mechanisms. Signs of age include natural oxidisation on the brasswork and hand-planed interior wood surfaces.

A Zanzibar chest serves as a focal point in a hallway, at the foot of a bed, or as a central coffee table in a living room. The contrast between dark timber and brass detailing complements both traditional and eclectic modern spaces.

Dust the wood regularly with a soft cloth and apply clear beeswax annually to nourish the timber. Avoid abrasive cleaners on the brasswork, allowing the natural patina to remain while keeping the metal free from excessive moisture.
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