19th to Early 20th Century Indonesian Maduran Imperial Wedding or Jodang Dowry Chests for Bride & Groom a Pair

“Kami sekarang menyatakan Anda telah manikah!” That’s Indonesian for “We now pronounce you… MARRIED!!!” Lucky Couple!!!! This is a FANTASTIC pair of antique 19^th to early 20^th Century Indonesian Maduran Imperial wedding or “Jodang” dowry chests composed of camphor wood bearing all-over intricately hand carved, painted, & gilded ornate details, patinated brass hardware, and original working keys. Let’s start with LADIES FIRST…. This “Bride” chest has double doors with patinated brass hardware, the original working key, and AMPLE storage space with a single fixed wood shelf in the center hiding behind them. Above the double doors the chest holds three smaller drawers all displaying hand carved gilded floral details with a jade green hand painted backing and lovely patinated brass knobs. The three smaller drawers sit below an eye-catching crown piece embellished with those same magnificent ornamental gilded hand carvings immersed upon hand painted colors of jade green and rich red peeking from behind. This top crown piece is removeable however, it leaves a couple of purposed holes exposed and just doesn’t look quite as attractive. Moving down below the double doors it possesses two larger drawers… much like the three smaller drawers above they bear marvelous hand carved gilded floral details with a jade green hand painted backing and lovely patinated brass knobs. Both sides of the chest are finished with less ornate but still decorative hand painted details & gilded trim and the entire masterpiece stands powerfully upon a spectacular & sturdy base composed of hand carved & gilded decorative side & front aprons and four fabulous cabriole style legs with magnificent Ming feet. Moving on to the “Groom” chest… It is quite handsome & has recessed double doors in the center of the chest featuring awesome symbols (likely “coat of arms” or “a noble Indonesian institution” as the wings suggest a connection to royalty) surrounded in a gilded oval trim encased in a gilded rectangular trim piece. It’s exquisite. The double doors are beautifully recessed & sit between two cylindrical columns spiraled with gilded rim and capped on each end with hand gilded detail. Hidden behind the double doors is AMPLE storage space with two fixed wood shelves. Three drawers (one larger in the center & two smaller on the sides) sit above & below the double doors all six drawer fronts embellished with those same magnificent ornamental gilded hand carvings immersed upon hand painted colors of jade green and rich red peeking from behind. The drawers simply pull open; there is no hardware. The chest is topped with a MAGNIFICENT hand-carved highly elaborate & dimensional gilded crown piece and… perched high atop the center crest upon a decorative carved King’s crown, (between two incredible stylized lions, none-the-least!) stands a proud gilded Phoenix or Ho-Ho-bird which is a mythical bird often incorporated in Asian furnishings, particularly items relative to weddings & ceremonial pieces. The Phoenix symbolizes peace, virtue, nobility, & harmony. (Don’t we all hope for a lot of THAT in our “marriages!!”) It is removeable if you want, but it has a purposed hole that will be exposed and just doesn’t look quite as attractive. Both sides of the chest are finished with less ornate but still decorative hand painted details & gilded trim and the entire masterpiece stands powerfully upon a spectacular & sturdy base composed of hand carved & gilded decorative side & front aprons and four fabulous cabriole style legs with magnificent Ming feet. And… Camphor wood is comparable to cedar wood considering its durability and insect repelling elements so, any delicate linens should be safely stowed for years to come. WOW!!!! A MATCH made in HEAVEN!!! They certainly are!! These “Jodang” dowry chests are keepsakes encasing a rich, cultural Indonesian Maduran heritage functioning exactly like a “wedding chest” or a “hope chest.” They represent an artistic trend and a social custom reflecting the significance of marriage. They are chests for one collecting and storing items intended for household preparation… until that moment of Holy Matrimony when you finally move into your new home together and unload your long collected goods TOGETHER… which leaves you with STUNNING empty cabinets or chests to use in whatever room you choose, or to fill again!! And… as fascinating as all the historical aspects that these pieces withhold are… you may not be in a position at this time to start a “newlywed collection” …  NO PROBLEM!!! These fabulously functional chests are ready to use RIGHT NOW!!! They will make incredible armoires or wardrobes in your bedroom or dressing area, wonderful linen cabinets in your bath or dining room, or fantastic storage cabinets in a study, entry, sitting, or game room filled with books, board games, or endless other supplies. Plus, they will blend with so many design styles besides their Indonesian origin… ranging from Rustic and Spanish Revival to Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency, Asian, and many styles in between. They are unique, fully functional, absolutely FABULOUS, and ready to grace your home with their alluring and rather phenomenal ornate presence!!! We now pronounce you… IN LOVE with this power couple! So, do it… make that commitment… and make them YOURS!!!!!