Zanzibar Chest

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 copper 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.