Timed Online Auction, 20 March - 2 April 2025

Notes

Zanzibar chests are distinctive, highly decorative wooden chests that originated in Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania. These chests are renowned for their elaborate craftsmanship and serve as a significant symbol of the region's rich history and culture.

Zanzibar was a key trade hub between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia and the designs showcase this fusion of cultures. The brass studs and engravings also served a functional purpose, protecting the wood from the humid climate and potential pest damage in the coastal region.

They were used for various purposes such as to storing valuable items such as spices, textiles, jewellery, and important documents. They were also given as part of a bride's dowry or used by merchants and travelers to transport their belongings across long distances.