Ice chest made of Huanghuali wood, which is a kind of rosewood. The chest is in fact a forerunner of the refrigerator. In summer, it was filled with lumps of ice which had been cut during the winter in order to keep fruits, vegetables and other perishables fresh during the warmer time of the year. The melt-water ran out of a pewter or zinc lining inside the wooden chest and was collected in a basin underneath. The lining is missing. The lid of the ice chest consists of two parts which are carved in openwork with coins symbolizing Wealth. The chest dates from the 19th century and was acquired in Kuala Lumpur in 1995. It is reputed to have come from Beijing. Height 66 cm. Width and depth 50 cm.