So thousands of people have checked out my post on my grandmother’s camphor chest. Well, hundreds of people. Ah, dozens. Never mind. But everyone’s been looking at the photos of the camphor chest. This got me thinking – what’s so interesting about camphor chests? Is my grandmother’s one something special?
I decided to look into what the heck camphor chests were used for. In the 18th and 19th centuries, camphor chests were used to carry tea, silks and porcelain from China to European destinations, mainly London, and also to America. Women saw the beauty of the chests and displayed them in living rooms. They were made from camphor wood, a natural repellent against moths and wood boring insects. Camphor also has a wonderful, fresh scent. Brass brackets usually adorned the corners of the chests and the chest’s clasp was also usually of brass.
Prior to the sea trade, Chinese families used camphor chests to store everything from blankets, clothes and linen to food and personal papers. Chests were often stacked one on top of the other to save space. Sometimes the chests were made of plain, solid camphor wood but, more often, ornate Chinese carvings of dragons, ships, people and animals decorated the chests.
My grandmother’s chest is intricately decorated with ships and dragons. To me, it tells the story of some sea dragon attacking a flotilla of Chinese vessels or maybe it’s actually protecting the flotilla. I have no idea if the chest is from China, Hong Kong or some other country in Asia. So I took more photos in case someone out there is an expert and can tell me more.
My grandmother used to keep the camphor chest in the master bedroom but my mother had it in the hallway of my childhood home. She used to put a bowl of flowers on top of it. I have it in the bedroom and it’s stuffed full of my mother’s Marghab. The chest has a drawer that sits at the top level – I guess to hold smaller items.
Up North 
Very nice chest!!
Hi
Can anyone help me with unlocking a campour chest please
Thanks
Some camphor chests have the key taped to the back of the chest or underneath. Have a look. If not, not sure: maybe someone knows?
The lock contains the key .press each end of the lock with a blunt knife. Until the key pops out
Did you ever find a key?? I have one! Perhaps I can take a photo of it for you. It is pretty easy to copy!
Nope, never found it Maria. I wonder if they are generic keys and open up most camphor chests? Do you have a camphor chest too?
I too have been trying to find out more about camphor chests. My grandmother had one which I am about to inherit. I presume she brought it back with her in 1940 from the Philippines where my grandfather served in the US military.
In my research, I came across this comment:
“The commonest type of carved chest brought back to Britain from the Far East by military personnel etc was the camphor wood sort. (In fact, it used to be said that, at the end of a tour of duty, you would go home with a new child or a camphor wood chest!)”
Thanks for the post and the photos.
Hi Debby Thx for leaving the comment – I suspect that bringing home a camphor chest was somewhat like when the troops left to go to war ie when they left, they often gave their wives or girlfriends “sweetheart bracelets” to remember them by. So maybe on their return, the camphor chest was the sweetheart bracelet equivalent.
Also, a camphor chest would have been wonderfully exotic in the 1930s and 40s, particularly the 1930s when there was a trend towards anything Oriental.
It’s great that you’re inheriting your grandmother’s camphor chest – treasure it.
I too have a camphor chest which my parents bought from China when my father was stationed at Nichols Field in the Philippines in 1939-41. My father was killed there in the war Dec. 24, 1941. My mother used to store all her ballgowns and shoes in it…then baby clothes for my sister and me. Now it still has one ballgown, my children’s baby clothes and specila outfits they used to wear. My 11 yr. old grandaughter discovered it the other day and LOVED going thru it! The top has a split in the wood near the back…and I “antiqued” it back in the ’70’s…probably devalued it but the carvings show up much better than they did on the black wood. I cherish it. Did your grandfather come back from the war…would you mind sharing his name…my mother (still living at 97) may have known him. :)Thanks, Jackie
P.S. The carvings on mine are leaves and they go all along the four corners and on to the feet. The brass closure has double openings and is still very much intact.
Hi Jackie That’s a lovely story about ballgowns and baby clothes. These camphor chests can occupy a very special place in the hearts of members of different generations. I keep all my school reports in there (must dig those out for a laugh!!), my mother’s 1970’s refurbished mink jacket; old photo albums; my mother’s books on health and all her Marghab linen.
I do know from my mother that my grandmother found it in some antique store in Sydney, presumably during the 1940s. My grandfather wasn’t in WWI or WWII but my father was – however, he has no relationship to the camphor chest.
All this talk about camphor chests has inspired a future post – instead of What’s in the Handbag? I’ll do What’s in the Camphor Chest!!
I have a similar chest that my grandmother purchased in 1933 for $100. She had a friend buy it for her when he visited China. The front lock plate is the same and the construction very similar. I would really like to know what it is worth today.
It seems so many of us ladies have camphor chests handed down from our grandmothers – which is such a lovely tradition! I too would like to know how much they’re worth these days. I see many in antique stores but they tend to be of darker wood.
So if a camphor chest expert stumbles onto this blog – let us all know what they’re worth these days. Obviously, each is different and I don’t see too many camphor chests in “blonde” wood colour like mine.
I have inherited a carved camphor chest and i think it is made of ironwood…it is dark in colour..I am currently trying to find out the value of this chest and am having a hard time finding anything relating to appraisals of them…sure would love some info on them
My parents have two camphor chests which I’ve always been fascinated with – they are absolutely beautiful. I will be the proud owner one day. It would be of interest to know their worth but I will never let them go. I love them.
If you go to easterncurio.com, there are examples of your chests ranging in price from $299 to $899.
Thanks Victoria. There are certainly quite a number of chests on that site – some new; some antique. Thx for the link.
I just bought a large one at a garage sale for $150. with what I’ve seen so far I’m pretty excited. Mine is missing the small top shelf. He said He got it at a antique store in Hong Kong. It has a blue ink “Made in Hong Kong” stamp. I’ve been trying to figure out if it is indeed antique or just a replica. Any thoughts?
Where are you based? US? I think that with the Made in Hong Kong stamp – it might not be an “antique”. I read somewhere that camphor chests made, say in the 19th Century, often carry no identifying marks etc. But this could mean nothing and it could in fact be quite genuine. That’s why I ask too where you are located – would be interesting to know how it got from Hong Kong to wherever you are.
I’ll go off and have a look at my grandmother’s camphor chest again. I’m pretty sure it has a mark on the inside. Other readers might be able to help you out too.
I inherited a camphor trunk from an old aunt together with my sister. She married first and has had the trunk since the 60’s. As she is now old and suffering from dementia I am going to ask the family for it. It is in Sydney, Australia. I looked on the Gumtree website to get an idea of the price.. something similar and old (antique) was for sale for over $AUS 500. My aunt had it from the early 1900s and the family used to call it a “glory chest”, storing items for a future marriage.
Hi Gwen, yes my mother used to talk about a “glory box”. She told me what it was all about, but I wasn’t interested LOL I hope you get the chest and maybe there are a lot of memories in that chest. Waiting for you.
I’m glad to see that I didn’t waist money on baying it, I like the smell. I just open it now and then just to get that camphor smell. I bought myne today for R1200.00 in Cape Town- South Africa. Hope it was not too much. Can I get a dealer who can give me the price estimates in South Africa.
Last week I inherited my grandmother’s camphor box. It is made from dark wood and smells amazing. We live in Australia and she was given it about 60 years ago by a Chinese couple she worked for. I guess the people that gave it to her either thought it didn’t have much value or they just didn’t want it anymore. But considering that was 60 years ago, regardless of its value back then – it is still an antique!
By the way, it has “Made in Hong Kong” on a very old faded label on the inside 🙂
Meg: it’s lovely that you have inherited your grandmother’s camphor chest. Like my grandmother, she might have used it as a display piece in her home during the 1940s in Oz. That’s what my grandmother did and then my mother after her. It’s a shame they are no longer really all that popular and the ones you can buy now are just not the same quality. So treasure your camphor chest!
My Gran’s Chinese Camphorwood chest which I think She may have bought in Ceylon in the ’40s, has rather primitive carvings of people on it. The figures have painted black hair (and beards in the case of the men) I have alwys loved it and it now haas ppride of place in the sitting room!
Hi Julie. I haven’t seen one with black painted figures or parts of the figures painted. Sounds like it would be really gorgeous. Glad to hear it has pride of place in your sitting room. I’ve said before that, although you can still buy modern reproductions, they are probably not hand-carved as antique chests were. They also might carry the Made in China label, although this does not necessarily mean the chest isn’t old – it could have been made specifically for the export market. For me, there is nothing better than a camphor chest from the 1920s and 30s and the memory that one’s grandmother used to store linen or treasured items in it.
Thanks for your comments. When I explored the contents of my Grandmother’s chest, there were drawings done by her in the bottom of it, and exercise books and diaries of my mothers. In one of the books there was a letter to Santa (from my Mum) which contained-apart from the material wishes for things- a desire that “we should win the war”. Ceylon was at that time fearing an invasion by the Japanese, which is the reason that my Grandparents, and my mother, returned to Britain at that time (Mum was 15)
I also inherited my camphor chest from my grandfather who brought it back from China after being stationed in the Phillipines in the 1930s. It is carved with a city scene where there is a battle taking place in the street. All four corners have brass brackets wrapping around, brass side handles, and 2 brass straps over the 2 recessed rings that lift the lid, located just above the 2 keys holes. I’m now a grandmother and can’t wait to give it to my granddaughter and tell her how it came to be in the family.
That’s a lovely story Liz, thx for sharing it. I’m sure it’s a gorgeous looking camphor chest. I think they’re wonderful items and I’m sure your granddaughter will cherish it as much as you have.
I too recently inherited my grandmother’s camphor chest. She turned 100 last year and moved into rest home where the room wasn’t big enough to accommodate it. I’ve loved it since I was a child and it holds a great deal of memory for me.
I always thought she called it the ‘camphor’ chest because she put camphor balls in it and stored her spare blankets there. Not until I started doing some research did I realise that it’s actually made of camphor wood.
I’m not sure where she got it although her grandfather was a sea captain from Cornwall so perhaps it arrived in New Zealand with him…….
It’s great to see so many other people who’ve been passed such lovely treasures from their grandmothers.
100 years old – such an achievement that most of us will never realise. This post on camphor chests is my highest rating post – just shows you how important these family treasures are. Like you, I have a lot of childhood memories of my grandmother’s camphor chest. It now holds all my memorabilia – photo albums, stuff from my high school years, my mother’s books and linen. And it’s a wonderful mystery for all of us to think about where the camphor chest came from. Thanks for sharing your story.
Just came across this today, and have to add my story, too! I am holding in storage for my daughter the camphor chest my mother had sitting at the end of her hallway for all the years I can remember! I wish I knew how she got it, but I do know that Mom and her cousin both ended up with chests. I have a feeling they were purchased in San Francisco’s Chinatown shortly after WWll, as they were both young brides at the time.
My camphor chest has scenes carved on the two sides, front and top. They appear to be scenes of a temple or ruler’s home, as the front panel has elderly gentlemen being presented with gifts from bowing visitors (courtiers?) the camphor wood is still amazingly fragrant.
Inside the lid, there is an old label glued on top that says:
A C
M
“Hand carved chests made of selected kiln dried camphor wood by skilled Chinese artisans
Style No. 119
Size Large
Below the label, Made In China is burned into the wood.
Obviously this is not an antique and was massed produced after the war, but there’s so much family history invested in this chest that it will never be sold or trashed! Although it might very well fall apart, having been lovingly handled by many children and grandchildren during the years!
Lovely story Lynette and thanks for sharing. So many of us have these camphor chests that have been handed down to us. I’m really pleased that they are being seen as treasured items that contain a lot of memories and family history. The ones we can get now are pale copies of these chest made in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. I’m sure you daughter will continue to treasure it.
I locked my camphor chest and then lost the key, which was an ancient
Chinese padlock with a sliding bolt. Any suggestions as to how I can open it or where I can get a replacement key? the opening of the lock looks like an ‘M’ and the elongated horizontal key had an ‘M’ shape.
I don’t know anything about camphor chest locks but perhaps a reader can answer your question.
I too have a camphor chest very similar to the one pictured, and it has a lock with sliding bolt similar to the one you describe, Anne. The front lock plate is the same and the construction very similar to the pictured chest. My chest has a nameplate inside that says it was made in Hong Kong. It also says “Prince Use DC Guaranteed 100% Camphorwood.” The lock and key are made of brass. My father was in the Navy aboard the USS Arkansas in 1940 when he acquired the chest. I have a letter he wrote to his sister to whom he sent the chest. In the letter he said the ship’s carpenter made the inside tray from white cedar and provided the lock which, apparently, did not come with the chest. However, the lock has engravings on one side of what appears to be 2 crude birds, 4 circles, and leaves between the circles. The circles are 3/4 inch diameter and have dot-punch engravings in them that look like crude oriental letters.The brass lock is 2-3/4 inches long X 3/4 inch wide X 1-1/8 inch high. The end view of the lock is the shape of a house or barn with rounded roof. The lock slide is held in place by a spring clip that catches on an internal flange located 7/16 inch from the end of the lock opposite the key opening. My key and key opening resemble an “M” with a “T” on top the M. I believe the lock could be opened with a flat piece of rigid metal inserted about 2.3 inches in the top of the “T”. The metal would need to be rigid enough to depress the spring clip 2.3 inches away to release it from the internal flange. I can send pictures of lock and key if you send me your email address.
Amazing description of your camphor chest John. I’ve often wondered about the tray that is in my Grandmother’s camphor chest – whether it came with the chest or was made later. Your father had the tray made by the ship’s carpenter, so maybe this means that camphor chests during the 1930s and 1940s didn’t usually have the tray.
Oh that’s gorgeous!!
I just bought a camphor chest today at the flea market–it was a super deal. It needs a little TLC but is otherwise solid. Although it’s not as ornate as your grandmother’s chest, it’s very pretty, with willow branches on the panels and intricate flowers on the frame part.
I’m looking forward to cleaning it up and putting my linens inside! 😀
Fantastic Elizabeth! Antique camphor chests are truly amazing – extremely well-made and intricately carved. I hope you enjoy yours as much I enjoy using my Grandmother’s camphor chest.
I have a camphorwood Chinese chest with beautiful carving as described in most of the posts. Mine has a metal label in it that says” VICTORIA BRAND GUARANTEED100% GENUINE CAMPHORWOOD. MADE IN HONG KONG. WITH A PICTURE OF An official looking BUILDING. I was told my great uncle brought it back from Hong Kong in the 1930’s , he was a merchant marine sea captain. our family history papers have kept in it quite well for at least 70 years! I recently found a deed in it from 1850 ! it is a treasure to have even though I don’t think it is that valuable. we love it.
Well it’s valuable to you Sharon 🙂 Isn’t it wonderful…so many of us have camphor chests passed down to us from our grandmother or mother. And we find family papers and keepsakes in it – and then start to store our own things in it. My grandmother’s camphor chest holds all the photos from my childhood, school reports and class photos, drawings, my mother’s linen and so on.
Greetings thinkingshift, Your camphor chest is exquisite and the detail is marvelous. I appreciate your research on this item and the fact that you shared it with others. I was barely 9 years old when my father bought home a camphor chest as a gift for me as a “hope chest”. He was a merchant marine and sailed the seven seas bringing home many beautiful items. I was way to young to really appreciate its value and kept doll clothes and handmade pot holders that I had loomed for the day when I was a housewife. My mother took back the chest and kept in in the hallway in a beautifully decorated corner that gave it the respect that it deserved. It now stays in my bedroom and holds treasured baby items from each of my three children who are now grown men and women. Its condition is weathered from moving, three children of my own and other family children. I still love it and the memories behind it. Thanks again for the info from you and all the other “camphor chest owners”. Have not read all of your responses so I on’t know if anyone came up with a good way to clean the wood without damaging it in any way. – RBrown
Hope chest – the moment I read your words Ruth, that brought back the memory that my grandmother referred to it as a hope chest. Good question about cleaning. Mine is in dire need of a good clean. Anyone know how to clean a camphor chest?
hi i live in England and was given a camphor chest 20 yrs ago by a Somali family that went home. I can honestly say i cant stand the smell which has faded over the years fortunately and in the four houses i have lived in it has never had a place , and has been covered with a blanket or something. it has a full tray and is deeply carved allover with birds and flowers it has the same clasp as yours. If anyone knows anyone thats interested in purchasing it please let me know. dawnevtomkins@hotmail.co.uk . thank you DAWN
Shame Dawn that you don’t like it because of the smell. Of course, the smell is to repel moths, silverfish etc but I know that some people can’t tolerate it. I don’t normally accept ads on my blog but, if someone is interested, then maybe they will contact you.
My mother asked our neighbour if I could have the camphor chest under his house. He was using it as a tool box. The intricate carvings in the chest depict people bring fruit offerings to the emporier. It had a single shelf oh the left side of the chest. It originally had carved lions head legs but the neighbour put them on a chest he made for his niece. He told us the chest had been brought to the Australian gold fields in the 1800’s by a Chinese couple. It was later given to his mother as a hope chest. I used it as my glory box in which to store linen in preparation for my marriage. Today it holds treasures from my childhood, my first ball gown, my wedding dress, keepsakes from my four children’s childhood, photo albums, the christening gown worn by my children and more recently my grandchildren.
Lovely story Kathleen! I shuddered though when I read that the original carved lion’s head legs had been taken off!! Imagine, such a wonderful 1800’s antique now without the original legs. But at least the chest holds pride of place in your life and its milestones.
I would like to protect the top of my chest, from Shanghai in 1932, so it is like a coffee table. Is it a good idea to have heavy glass made to rest on the top?
Nancy
Nancy – my mother had a piece of glass on the camphor chest for many years. The chests are pretty sturdy and the glass did no harm to my grandmother’s camphor chest.
Is this chest for sale??? What price would you ask??
ah no, not for sale – it is my grandmother’s, passed down to my mother and now to me. Looks like you appreciate the beauty of it though 🙂
We got my husband’s Mums chest today after she’d passed away. It was stored under the house and is absolutely covered in dirt and dust. I’ve been using an old toothbrush to try and get most of the dirt out of the corners but it still looks very dirty. I would love some suggestions. It’s so beautiful and I really want to bring it into our living room if I can clean it up adequately. Please help if you can.
Annette, you could try this method, which my mother used to do. I haven’t tried it but I do know that you must be very careful not to let the wood get too wet. Get two linen or cotton tea towels and one bowl of soap, tepid water.Dampen one tea towel with the soapy water, wring well and dab the wood.Use other tea towel to dry. This is where you have to be careful – not too much water. When the dirt has been removed, wait for at least 48 hours, then polish with a good quality beeswax.
I just discovered this blog. I have a camphor chest given to me by my godmother. Her father was in the Philippines during WWII. I believe he had this chest made. It is not carved but beautiful warm brown wood. Brass or bronze is on the corners the lock area and a circular decorated design is on the top (like something to protect from a hot tea pot). Inside is a long drawer on the top. The family had two of these large chests and a matching mirror that hung over it on the wall. What a treasure.
So I thought I’d share something that I found on my Camphor wood chest. I got this one from an old Church in Florida that my family belonged to. I recently displayed it in my house and as I was wiping it down I noticed on the back of the chest next to the mural was a set of initials. Looks like EFC to me. My trunk is a Nautical depiction, very ornate and I believe it to be 19th century antique. It has no markings at all. I was curious to know if you look closely at the back of your trunk if you can find initials as well. I will email pics if you want, don’t know how to put pics on here
-Joe (Goonie for Life)
I’ve never really looked Joe for any initials or markings on my camphor chest. Your comment prompts me to do so thx! I’ll do an update if I find anything.
This is a great blog. I was researching my own chest, which I inherited when my grandfather’s house got sold last year and found it! Fascinating! Mine used to contain my grandmother’s furs, which I also got, but felt they had no use in this current age, but I like the lingering fragrance of the chest, although my 12 year old son is somewhat more ambivalent about it! I am pretty sure this dates back at least to the 40s, but sadly, I can’t really find out any more. I know it had been in their loft for a long time, as I remember my nana taking me up to look at the stoles she had in the chest when I was a child. And it must have been in their possession at least 20 or 30 years beforehand. Mine has a stepped lid, dark wood, a brass clasp like yours, and a conventional looking lock (although I also have the special ‘m’ shaped lock and key which were separate – I can’t figure out where that’s supposed to go!). There are no markings on the chest at all, but there are carvings on all the main panels, though much cruder than yours, and seems to depict an oriental family (I would have said japanese from their garments, but perhaps ancient chinese, which would fit the heritage). I have a drawer too, but it does look like slightly different wood, and looks newer than the rest of the chest.
Still, it evokes such strong memories of my grandmother, I would not want to lose it from the family home, however authentic or otherwise it might be. And I think I’ll be using it as a memento box from here on in – up until now it’s contained toilet rolls, I’m ashamed to say, given that it’s actually in our downstairs loo!
Deborah, I’m so glad that people are inheriting their family camphor chests and coming to appreciate them more! My grandmother’s fur coat is stashed away in my chest; plus my mother’s 1970’s jacket, which she had remodelled from her own fur coat. I’d love to wear it but feel it’s not appropriate in this day and age. Our grandmother’s LOVED the chest but, sadly, they are not as prominent in our lives anymore. However, I think I’ll ferret through what’s in mine and do a blog post!
I am so glad I found this page! I haven’t had a chance to read all the many stories here, but it is fascinating! I bought my carved camphor wood chest from a woman in Durban, SA in 1997, who had brought two back from the east after WWII for the children she planned to have. Neither daughter ended up wanting them, so I got lucky. Mine was not well cared for and the wood seems to have either darkened with age or was polished with something that darkened it. It has many light scratches on it, and 2 cracks in the top, apparently from water and sun damage on the ship when it was deck cargo. I would love to either have it restored or do it myself. I’ve been considering gently working at it with a Dremel tool using a fine sandpaper or buffing attachment. Any opinions on this? Should I leave it alone? I really would love to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.
Hi Deanne, I’ve been AMAZED at how much interest this post has generated on camphor chests. So many readers leaving great stories about their grandmother’s camphor chest or one they’ve found in an antique shop. I’ve never touched my grandmother’s chest, I’m too scared but…I’ve read that you can give it a light sanding and you can also give the chest a thin coat of wax. I think my mother (sure it was my mother) used to get out the Dawn brand dishwashing liquid (a few drops into a cup of water), then she dampened a paper towel and just wiped the chest over to get ride of dirt and dust. Then she used a soft cloth to dry.
I have a chest i bought for $100 and it has a tray inside and has paintings on it and also Jade figures but not sure if the jade is real or not has brass hinges and brass designs on the corners. hoping its worth something.
I am lucky to have a camphorwood box and also a substantial Chinese bar with a lid which lifts up then “doors” on top which open outwards and a number of cupboard style doors around the body of the cabinet. Both items feature carved and plain surfaces and are of the older style, finely detailed variety.
This may sound terrible but I just don’t like the red/orange toned timber of the relief pattern (the background, a brown/black is nicer). They are very detailed pieces but does anyone know what options there might be to stain the items brown/black all over or lighten the pattern to a more pinkish gold colour?
Thanks
I need a key for the lock on my camphor chest. Any ideas?
Forgot to say that the lock looks like a house, like yours!
I have just brought home to the Netherlands my mothers camphor wood chest that I have loved since childhood.
My mother died last year in the U.S.A. where she lived with my sister and I inherited the chest. I live in the Netherlands, was born and brought up in South Africa and while trying to find a method of cleaning it on internet came across this blog. What I found on internet is that many, many of these chests seem to be in South Africa. I am so sorry I never thought to ask in later years how or why she had it. I Always thought it was a sort of hope chest. One thing though, when my grandmother, her mother emigrated from Lithuania just after WW1 she went through China so perhaps it is from around 1918-1919. My parents married in 1941 and the chest may have been from around then and not earlier.
My chest also has a small metal plate inside on the lid rim which says Victoria Brand guaranteed 100% camphor wood with a picture of a building and made in Hong Kong underneath the picture. The tray which must have been on the top just under the lid is missing but the wooden rails to hold it are still there. I do not remember ever seeing the tray.
My mother Always kept some treasures, her knitting wools, an ostrich feather cape (which my sister and I played with as children) and her old fur coat in it.
My mother did not like the chest she thought it was very old fashioned and she fixed a piece of foam to the top by pulling a piece of sheeting around it and nailing it to the sides (oh dear) and upholstering it to match her bedroom. In a way it has been the saving grace of the Kist. I very carefully removed the nails and the carving on the top is undamaged. Only the nail holes on the sides of the lid which are not so obvious are still there.
There was a huge amount of dust and dirt build-up due to disintegrating foam rubber which I have tried to vacuum and brush off. I have tackled a small area with the soapy water and cloth dabbing technique but I am still trying to find a better method. The Kist is much darker than I remember it and I am contemplating the linseed oil and surgical spirit method which I think may be better as I don’t want to remove the patina of age but some of the gunk is pretty thick.
Will keep this blog posted if I come up with a good solution to cleaning it up without damage.
Hello Brenda. Thank you for leaving your wonderful story about your mother’s camphor chest. My understanding is that camphor chests from early 20th Century came from China or Hong Kong and they were brought back by men who had been in WWII for their wives – who then displayed them with pride in the living room. If someone knows differently, please leave a comment. I will be interested to see how you go with cleaning the chest Brenda and keep us posted! I’m sure you will value it as much as I value mine.
I have a carved teak chest which is lined with camphor wood. It was purchased in late 1940’s when we lived in Singapore, my father was an officer in British Army.
I have 2 carved camphor chests, one the size of a full size steamer trunk, the other slightly smaller that originally nested inside the larger. Both are fully carved with Chinese palace scenes and trimmed with brass hardware. These chests were purchased in the People’s Republic of China Friendship Store in 1987(in Guangzhou). Certainly not antiques but lovely keepsakes from living in China as an expatriate for 3 years. I store woolens, clothing and linens in these trunks and they are a decorative addition to my bedroom and dining room. I reside in New York.Two years ago my home was devastated by flooding from Hurricaine Sandy. The larger trunk was half submerged in flood water for a day until the flood waters receded (it was in my bedroom), while the smaller trunk was fully submerged in my flooded lower level for about 5 days, then salvaged , placed outside in the winter weather for about 8 weeks until we could rescue it from the aftermath of the flood debris. By then, both had a good case of mold established as well as exterior damage to the finish. I sent both chests for cleaning and refinishing, and they came back beautifully finished,restored, and fragrant. What a story these trunks could tell! I cherish mine and they will be passed on to my children.
Angela – thank you for sharing your wonderful story! Sad to hear you were a victim of Hurricane Sandy and the devastation it caused to the trunks and your life. But great to hear they have been lovingly restored and no doubt they now take pride of place in your home. Amazing how camphor chests, in our contemporary society, have become the guardians of keepsakes (wedding and family photos, childhood memorabilia, linen etc). Quite different from their original use. I am sure your children will cherish the two chests as much as you do!
I purchased a chest last year which belonged to the sellers grandmother, she thought it was from the 30s or 40s. the trunk is elaborately carved on three sides and plain on the wall side. The unusual element to my trunk is that it is drawers, two small ones at the top and then two full length. I love it and hope it becomes an heirloom in my family, I did feel a little sad that it was no longer loved by the original owners granddaughter.
I too inherited a carved camphor storage chest from my mother. I remember when my parents bought the medium size chest, a four panel carved screen, and a teakwood bar in July 1968 in Panama City, Panama. My father was stationed at Ft. Clayton where we lived from 1966 to 1969. I also have the original receipt for all three items within the chest. My parents paid $40 dollars on July 24, 1968 for the chest, $200 for the bar, and $80 for the screen. (The bar got beat up pretty bad in the May 20th tornado that hit Moore, OK when my brother’s house was destroyed. I fireman volunteered to try and repair it as he did that type of work as a hobby. He put it back together the best he could.)
I can also remember my mother liked to store several of us kids Christmas gifts in the chest. We learned if you took one of the extra large and thick bobby pins you could insert it into the lock as a key and unlock the lock that came with the chest. After Mom figured out we had learned to unlock the chest she stopped storing things she didn’t want us to find in the chest. bummer!
I hope that might give some of you an idea of what was paid for your chest back in the day and how to unlock the lock if you no longer have the key.
Thanks so much for the sharing Rhonda! I’ve not heard of the extra large, thick bobby pin idea. Hopefully, this will indeed help some people.
I just bought a new camphorwood chest from China, a reproduction with lotuses and a beautiful crane. The carving is exquisite, but the smell is overpowering. I have left it open to air it out…is that a good idea? Will the smell diminish over time? Will it dry out inside and crack if I leave it open too long? I also would like to find a lock and key for it, but have no idea where. Thanks.
The wood in your chest is new and probably needs to dry and cure over time. Keeping the lid open shouldn’t hurt. The climate in southern China where many of the camphor chests are made is damp and the wood in a freshly made chest likely is “green” so expect some drying out to occur especially if your home is in a drier climate and you’ve got the heat on in the winter. The scent should become less intense as the wood becomes drier. The beauty of camphorwood is the scent which has both medicinal and bug repellent qualities. The chest subtly freshens the air in a room and repels moths etc. from clothing stored in it. My camphor chests haven’t cracked in 25 years but I’ve also kept them clear of radiators and baseboard heating. If you are lucky to live in a city that has a “Chinatown” (NY, Los Angeles, San Francisco or DC) or large Asian community, you will likely find brass locks readily available. Otherwise they can easily be found online. Good luck.
Thanks !!!
I got a replacement lock for my smaller chest at an Asian market in Portland or Seattle. They are quite common, I think.
On another note, my grandma wanted a carved camphor chest when she was first married in 1926. She saved her pennies until she amassed the grand total of $15. This was handed over to her younger sister, who was making a trip to China. Auntie found a beautiful camphor wood chest and Grandma was so happy! It has a different lock, though, opened with a standard old-fashioned key, not Chinese-style. It’s shaped more like a skeleton key! Mom says Grandma got this beautiful chest when she was a little girl, and Mom is now 88. My sister will inherit the chest, and I get visitation rights!
I have two camphor wood chests: The history of one is interesting, if true, the history of the other is proven, but more mundane.
The first is of a rather common type, rather plain with small brass straps and corner protectors. Mildred Draper, a next-door neighbor, gave it to me in the 1960’s when I was about 10 years old. She told me it had been owned by David Burris, a director of the Bank of Santa Rosa, California. It had sailed around Cape Horn with money to start the bank in 1870. The bank was later absorbed by the Bank of Italy (now known as the Bank of America, whose logo long featured a square-rigger). In appearance, the chest is unusual only in that it has an added wrought iron hasp and that it has not been refinished. It is 13” high, 15” deep and 29” wide. It now contains some VCR tapes , some vintage lamp parts awaiting installation and last year, I found leftover Halloween candy hidden in it.
The other chest is less common. It stands 23” high on its feet, 21” deep and 42” wide. The wood is plain, but darkly stained. It has thick brass straps cut out to form Chinese symbols. It has a lattice tray just under the lid. My father, a merchant seaman, bought it in 1948 from the Wong Chan Kee Co. in Shanghai for $8,000,000 (obviously not U.S. Dollars). He also brought back a catalog from the Sing Shun Co. of Hong Kong. I used to wonder why he didn’t spring for the elaborate carvings illustrated in the catalog, but now I prefer the elegance of the chest he chose. It contained a map of Paris and other souvenirs of his voyages. I now keep my collection of vintage neckties and some linens in it.
I have the “house-shaped” locks for it. The keys are forked at the ends, so that when you insert them, they draw together two barbs that hold the hasp in place and push it out the other end.
Lovely story Stephan and thanks for sharing…is your Dad still alive? Does he remember buying the second camphor chest? I’m sure China in 1948 would have been an amazing place to visit.
I have just purchased 3 camphor chest (a set of 3, each smaller than the other). They need serious wipe down. They have bird pictures and lots of leaves and flowers designs on them. Some of the brass portion on the smaller chest is missing. On 2 of the chest, a small white sticker at the very bottom is still attached that says “Made in China” with blue letters. it is very faded. I can easily say that these chests were made before the 80’s based on the condition of the wood and varnish. I intend to keep these chest after I clean them out.
Hi my mum has a camphor box given to her by her dad as her glory box. It has a carved scene on it and carved writing. I have always wondered what they meant? Can I send a picture? Thanks!
hello, my grandmother’s boyfriend who was a merchant seaman brought her a carved camphor chest in the 1930’s-1940’s. It has a label inside that reads “YIH KONG KEE” “China Arts Craft Furniture Manufactory. Show Room: 859 Bubbling Well Road. Made in China. Shanghai. Tel. 32183” The chest included the original brass lock and key, and insert tray. The carved scene is a domestic gathering.
Thank you for the information..
I have just inherited my mother’s camphor wood chest…..my parents were stationed in Singapore in 1969 (Father was British Army) and she bought it in 1969…..the year I was born.
I always remember it being in her bedroom where she kept towels, sheets etc. The top is a lift up trunk style top and underneath are 3 large drawers and it stands on legs…so not a trunk style persay.
I know live in Canada and am looking to have it shipped out to me from UK…sadly Mum passed away last year so it needs to cross the ocean.
Are there any sites that may have these on as I need some kind of value for insurance (I know it wont be worth lots, but I want to make sure I have coverage fro it before having it shipped)? Someone mentioned a site earlier but there was nothing even close to it……has some ornate carvings but then sides are plain. Thank you…loved reading allo the stories by the way,…..
Marianne, firstly – very sorry to hear of your Mum. So I know that camphor chest is like mine – my Mum passed in 2007 and I have such memories held in that chest – photos, her Marghab linen, her recipe books. So get it shipped over to you in Canada. I don’t know of the site you mention but…I would look at this site to see the value of antique camphor chests http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/antique-chests/antique-camphor-chests/ I’d also look on eBay to see what they are selling for.
If you google camphor chest, a number of sites come up that list prices for camphor chests, based on how old they are and what kind of carving is displayed on them. You may find a chest that resembles yours and you can estimate the value of your chest from there. I had to estimate the value of my camphor chests for insurance purposes and this method was helpful.
Thanks for helping out Angela. That’s great advice.
This takes me back. My father had a very similar camphor wood chest that he bought in Hong Kong in back in 1952. I used to play with the lock mechanism and marvel at the deeply incised carving, the figures the junks and the dragons. Years ago it was sold but I’ve written a story that’s in part about the chest. I wonder if I might use the images in a slide presentation to accompany my book launch. My book is available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0192IAHAI
I have a camphor lined chest. Beautiful hand carving on all 4 sides, particularly descriptive on the top and front of people bringing gifts to a respected elder. this chest was acquired by my parents, during the second world war in about 1941 from a mansion in England, where my Dad was stationed for a time during the war. I think he bought it for about 5 pounds sterling then. My Mum stored blankets in it and some fur wraps. It is with me in Canada and I still store blankets, some old furs and bed covers. It smells wonderful when I open it. There are no markings on it. The lock would seem to be the traditional one, made of brass. I’m sure it is an antique. The feet are original, except for some chips make by vacuum cleaners. Does anyone have any idea how much it might be worth.
I have a camphor chest that is about 60 years old it is carved with a war scene of men and horses, it also has a glass top. My dad was a seaman from the Philippines and brought 2 of them back on a on a trip there, I would like to know how much it is worth i am considering on selling it because I have no one to leave it to.
Can you link pictures? Where are you located. I just purchased one of these and find it’s worth varies. $400-600 although on craigslist I got mine for $200 since the guy was in a hurry.
I might be interested in buying it. I love vintage stuff.
Interesting site! I have a coffee table with I believe, the top made from a camphor chest. I inherited it from my mother. If I remember correctly a boyfriend had the chest made into a coffee table after he returned home from World War II and gave it to her. It is dark wood with deep relief carving on it. I remember always having it. She had a piece of glass made for the top so it has always been covered. Does any one have anything like it? Wondering if it has any value as it is not my taste and none of my children want it. Have searched a bit online and found these posts. Haven’t seen one identical yet, some similar though. Probably has lost value since it is just the top of the chest. Any thoughts??
I am no expert on this Martrecia. It could go either way I think – because it’s not the complete chest, it might have little value. But…because it’s a pretty unique item from the WWII era, it could have specific value to a collector. Depends too on its origin and the carving. Have you talked to any antique dealers? I’d try to get a sense from collectors and antique dealers what its value might be. If anyone has ideas, please leave a comment!
I am so happy to see this site with so many camphor chest stories! I have inherited mine from my fathers uncle who had lived in Hong Kong while working for the US in some capacity approximately 90 years ago. He lived in Hong Kong many years before returning to live in San Francisco. When Joe passed away my dad inherited the trunk and I inherited it 12 years ago. It has a metal label in it that says J. L. George and company in it – made in Hong Kong. The metal label does say reproduction of antique Chinese furniture. It is very dark wood with a nautical metal inlay scene on both the cover and front. It has brass corners, brass handles, and brass straps on either side of the cover that go over the front and then lock. It has a sliding tray inside. I have no idea if Joe brought this back with him from Hong Kong or if he purchased it in San Francisco. He did bring back many other Oriental pieces of furniture including a very elaborate screen, and tables. Has anyone seen a chest like this?
Who knew, Rosemary, when I posted on camphor chests that it would be my most popular post!! I too love the personal stories of camphor chests. I wonder what has taken their place now – what do we hand down to our children that contains momentoes of travel or items that belonged to ancestors? I reckon your chest was brought back to the US by your father’s uncle. It sounds lovely!
Fun site to read so many camphor chest stories!
May I comment on care of a camphor chest? Mine is almost as good as when my mother received it in 1938. It was obtained from a Johannesburg (SA) wholesaler who imported several. I make sure that water never gets near it. (No vases or pot plants.) Dust with a clean soft paint brush. Rub it with a good furniture oil every six months or so. Then use a soft, clean cloth and the brush to remove any excess oil. Don’t leave the oil pooled in the grooves. Rub until the cloth doesn’t pick up any more oil. If a chest is very dirty I would recommend starting with a dry paint brush until as much dirt as possible has been removed. Then use the oil method repeatedly.
Thank you,Jackie, for this very helpful cleaning tip!! I will certainly be following this for my camphor chest.
I just picked up a wooden chest today I bought on trade me which was headed” carved blanket chest or glory box”, which I wanted to store excess clothing in. When I got home I inspected it closely and saw it had chinese figures on it and thought it looked like a camphor chest. After googling it, I came across this site, which was an amazing incite into camphor boxes history which I knew nothing about! My chest is carved on all 4 sides and has a pictures of what looks like an emperor with ‘coutiers’ bearing gifts as explained in previous posts. It has feet which I now believe are lions feet and a lions head thanks to this site! It is in mint condition with a tray and glass top with the M shaped lock. This chest was also given to the vendor by her grandmother I learned today, but she didn’t like it. I am happy to have discovered that I have purchased a traditional camphor chest as opposed to a carved chest after reading this site! I shall cherish it, and keep it alway, but as I have no children will have to think who I may leave it too and keep it in the way it was originally designed to be treasured by its owners.
What an amazing story Tania and thanks for sharing! Sounds like you have bought yourself a lovely camphor chest and I hope you have years of pleasure using and looking at it. Great to hear that posts and comments have helped you recognise features of your camphor chest.
my wife has a chest of camphorwood. it took a strong light and reading glasses but says it’s ‘guaranteed”…what ever that’s worth. anyway the top looks to have a couple with a third bowing. to the left an adult and child watching. It’s been in her family for an untold period of time that likely predates world wars. Can’t find much information about such chests. any suggestions for other sources of information of pictures? It’s amazing that this post dates back over 5 years!
Hi Scott. Yes, I never thought posting about my family’s camphor chest would lead to so much discussion!! but it’s wonderful to see that people from all over the world have these chests and that they’ve been handed down through the generations. I haven’t found a lot of information on camphor chests, so if any readers know anything, please leave a comment!!
I also have a carved camphor kist that my mother gave to me many years ago and it has a special place in my heart. I have however lost the lock and was wondering if anyone perhaps had a spare lock. Mine was brass and looked almost like a triangle with a bar that went through the double holes. Hope someone out there can help.
Let’s hope Charleen! Shame about the lock but maybe someone can help you out.
I see several on ebay under antique brass Chinese lock.
If you google “Chinese brass locks”, you’ll find a number of sites where you can find these locks, including eBay. Good luck!
I own a large Camphorwood Chinese Chest that I bought in Mombasa Kenya in 1965 – carved on all 4 sides plus top and legs – still has the interior Sliding Shelf – my 1st Wife used it as a Hope Chest. I was a Cadet on a US cargo ship which visited Mombasa in 1965 – and can clearly remember the shop where I bought it from – paid $80 US for it. Remains in excellent condition. Took a good look at it today on the underside and it has pink Chinese writing in chalk with “C-1897” written in English. Remains in my Living Room in Fort Lauderdale Florida to this day – Capt Larry Reimer
For anyone wanting more info I’m adding my personal email address – captlwr@gmail.com
Larry
my mum had a set of about 5 lined with red velvet, when i was a kid. i have always loved them, i dont know what happened to them, but in the last 2 months i have found 4 chests for sale, and guess what,,,,, i now have 4 of them. all different sizes, the biggest is 100cm long. i will have a look tomorrow for any markings. Im from Australia.
My mother got her camphorwood chest for her 21st birthday in 1939.It was bought in Kirkaldie and Staines Wellington New Zealand and must have cost a bit then as this was the number shop at the time
I have it now and it has survived well ,except I noticed a tiny piece if carving had been recently removed .I actually found the wood on the floor and thought it was part of something of my small grandson had owned and threw it out Of course a few days later I went to clean the box and discovered the gap.Never mind The carving is all over and on the sides are two medium sized carved handles The fittings are all brass,but no longer polished as advised by someone to me The legs are small and claw footed.It is full of family treasures now as always.
Did you find its worth i have one like it? Email me at dhyanawalker@yahoo.com please
I have an uncarved camphor chest with brass fixtures on corners top and bottom of box. It also has brass fittings down the corner lengths of the box. I can remember sitting on the box with my grandfather since I was a child and I believe it was my grandmothers glory box. Unfortunately my mother now has dementure and can’ t give me any more information. I now have the chest and every time i open it the smell takes me back to my childhood. The box also has a small removal storage compartment _ I believe it was used to store candles?
When my Father my served in the Duke of Edinburgh’s 2nd Regiment in Pattani Sungei, Malaysia. I was born in Georgetown. Before coming home, we were quartered in Sekong Barracks in present Hong Kong. At the moment the chest is in my cottage in Kurseong, West Bengal, India. Whenever I visit Kurseong, I always air the box and relive the days of the past.
That’s beautiful Kunal – I love the idea of airing the box, opening it and reliving the past.
My grandmother was born in Shanghai and met her English policeman husband while working in Hong Kong. When HK was invaded, she and my two year old mother went to Australia.
As each of her granddaughters turned 21, they were given a carved camphor chest. I’ve had mine for 35 years. It’s such a versatile and practical piece of furniture, with a link to our Chinese ancestry and a reminder of our immigrant past..
I’ve continued the tradition by giving my nieces their own chest. I have two 21st this year – one in April and the other in July. I bought two matching chests yesterday for a very cheap $100.
Thanks to all who have left replies – I’ve enjoyed reading your comments.
2017 we are down sizing to a much smaller home in California from Idaho. We have a camphor wood chest that belonged to my husband’s parents. They purchased it in the late 30’s or early 40’s from a Chinese curio shop that was in Whittier, California. We looked this morning to see if we could find any identifying marks as mentioned in the other posts and found nothing. Inside was a sliding basket weave type tray and 3 Hudson Bay blankets. The original square/rectangle brass lock was in the tray along with a key. This had been replaced by a lion lock. Fortuneately I had found the strange shaped key and remembered where I had put it and was able to open it up. I was surprised the the Camphor odor had dimished somewhat from the last time we had opened it. This made me very happy as I did not care for the smell which permeated the whole house. Sad that now days the kids and grandkids do not seem to value this type of thing. I am amazed at all of the stories on this blog and perhaps if it had been something handed down in my family I might feel better about it. I am trying to get my daughter to take it rather than just discard it.
I just purchased a gorgeous camphor chest for $90, I had no idea what I was getting and the woman that sold it to me from an auction where she got it, had no clue either.
It’s positively stunning so intricately carved, I can’t believe it. I wish I could post the picture here.
I should’ve described what was on my chest, on the top there’s is a peacock with what appears to be Hawks and flowers inset into the middle of the lid in a rectangular box, outside of that is all handcarved and decorated with more flowers and designs while the long sides have various flowers and birds each side has that same inlay design and then on the outside of the inlays are more designs that are carved in. It has the brass circular latch. It has feet which are birds it’s stunning.
It has some kind of Chinese mark on the bottom.
I enjoyed reading everyone’s comments, it’s so interesting considering I thought I was just buying a really beautiful trunk.
I have my chest in our dining room. It’s not in the best shape because my mom stored it in our basement. When I got married and had our own place that was the first piece of furniture I had. I love the beautiful carved ships and carved feet. I love the smell and I store old family photo albums and baby items. My grand daughter will receive mine when she is ready.
I just purchased a camphor chest today from a consignment shop. It is beautiful with brass accents on all sides and corners. They add to the richness of the carved figures on it especially after being polished. The chest has a keyhole vs a separate stand alone lock to secure it. It has a brass semi-ring handle for assisting with opening it in the very top front center of the lid. The interior camphor smell reminds me of the chest my parents have since I believe the 1950’s. It is also ornately carved and the brass lock is the shape of one of those Home Depot tool boxes that kids make. The key is a long pin which is inserted into the side of the lock. The original paper label inside my chest says it’s made in China with a #54 and size Medium stamped on it. The logo on the label is a red triangle with the word SAMPY in it. I’m mainly interested in the story of the carvings. There’s an old man and an old woman who look regal. In one carving a young female is handing a rectangular shaped item, a box perhaps, to the old man. In another carving a woman, can’t tell if it’s the old woman or the other female has the box but she is keeping it away from the old man. Another female is on the other side of the old man. She is looking away. If anyone is familiar with what the story of the carving is about please let me know. The carvings on these chests all have meaning that just makes it more interesting than it already is. A picture says a thousand words. Wish I could show you these carvings. Thanks.
It sounds like a very beautiful camphor chest Shelley. I think it’s sad that today’s generation don’t really know of camphor chests and how they were treasured by families, handed down by grandmothers and mothers. I’m glad that all the comments for this post at least shows there remains some interest. Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
It’s pretty cool! I just got mine with very similar figures like yours. Vessels, dragons spouting water, but just the vessels display is a bit different. If possible, really hope to see the detailed picture of the whole top and I am happy to share mine too so we can talk a look at both 🙂
I just got this chest from the original owner who said it was brought back by his grandfather during WWII, and locked. When his grandfather opened it, he found several guns inside. The chest was kept well for the whole period and now I have it and plan to leave it for my daughter after she grow up. It’s good to see your blog so that I may believe this is a really old stuff with lots of stories. Thank you
What a cool story SL and thanks for sharing. Guns inside? yikes! I think the cultural history of camphor chests is really fascinating. I must update this post actually.
We have one in our bedroom. The hardware is identical to yours. The story my wife inherited along with the chest is that her grandfather, who was a US Army doctor stationed at the Panama Canal during its construction, brought it from there, and that it was used to ship silk. Since there was no canal yet, the silk was sold to be sent across Panama and shipped further while the chest was left behind, so they were lying around everywhere. That’s the story at least.
Hi show the photos to my nan as she has one, that is simular to the one in the photos. Do you know if it has a piano hinge.
Chrissie says:
Its so interesting to read about so many stories surrounding these ornate, elegant camphorwood kists!
I recently(about 5 years ago) inherited my late aunt’s (late dad’s sister) beautiful camphorwood kist. It is mae from dark wood,intricately carved with chineses junks and pagodas and trees, smells amazing and she used to put her linen in it. I remember observing it and asking her about it as a child and she was incredibly proud and protective over it. It held pride of place in her lounge,as it does in mine now, and as it used to in her mother’ssittingroom,(my late grandmother-whom I never knew).
It is somewhat of an heirloom since her mother was given it as a gift in the 1940s by her son(my late uncle, who was just beginning his seafaring career as a deck officer-working for the BI based in Calcutta(Kolkhotta, India). My late aunt and two siblings(my late dad and uncle) were all born in Calcutta in the late 1920’s and both sons “went to sea” as they called it, at the age of 18.
The kist now holds many old family photograhs from my late aunt’s interesting life in India as a young child, girl and young woman until her departure for England for a few years and then her many travels in Europe and Mauritius(to where her family then returned in 1952). She then emigrated to South Africa in 1961 and lived out the rest of her life here, where I then inhertied the dear old, precious kist!
That’s a lovely story Christine and thank you for sharing it with us. It’s just lovely that these camphor chests still mean so much to people who have inherited them.
Your camphor chest is exactly like mine. My uncle was in the Coast Guard in the 1940s and brought my chest and two others back from Asia. There must have been someplace that sold lots of them because they seem to be reasonably common.
How interesting Nancy! I don’t know how my grandmother got hold of her chest. As far as I know, she didn’t visit Asia, nor did my grandfather. But they might have been available in Australia where they both lived. Or she found hers in an antique/second hand shop. The mystery!!
how much is a ‘camphor’ chest worth?
After reading all these stories, I wish I knew more about how my grandmother acquired her beautifully carved chest (I always called it a trunk). I remember it in her apartment when I was a little girl, in the early 1950s, so I would guess she had it a while by then. My uncle, her eldest son, fought in the Philippines (WWII) so maybe he brought it back to her. Unfortunately, all of those two generations are gone and I am the eldest of the grandchildren, so there is no one to ask.
After my grandfather died, in the late 60s, Grandma downsized and the trunk ended up in my aunt’s basement. The basement was finished, but the trunk was buried under what seemed to be tons of junk. I remember being sad that it was being treated so carelessly and when my aunt downsized to a smaller home, I happily took the trunk! That was back in the late 80s. It was in neglected shape. The hinges attaching the heavy lid had detached, and a piece of wood from the back side if the trunk had broken off with the hinge, The brass lock was off, but luckily, it was inside the trunk. There were wear signs on the edges all around the lid and one corner had expanded a little and showed a slight separation. The inside of the trunk, however, was not damaged at all, and still had that wonderful fragrant smell.
I had always planned on having it restored, but the trunk quickly became a useful part of my home, and it just didn’t matter that it was not perfect, I loved it anyway, and always thought that someday, I would have it fixed. It ‘lived’ in my living room for a while, then it moved upstairs to my bedroom where I still use it to hold seasonal clothing that is not able to stay hung in my closet season to season. I love that trunk and I know my grandmother would be so happy to know that I ended up with it. I have two daughters. I don’t know how they will decide their great grandma’s trunk will go after I am gone – but I am thinking, as I have one granddaughter, maybe I should leave it to her. She loves to play with all the little trinkets I keep in a tray on top of the lid, and I know she would love to have her great great grandmother’s trunk.
My mom has one. She uses it as a jewelry box. My grandma brought it over from China in the 40s. I think hers has a nature scene but it does not have those trays inside. They just had one on Antique Roadshow. Only worth $50-100.
Camphor chests may not be worth much these days, but they have a world of memories attached to each & every one of them. Thanks for sharing Natalie!