Even if the decoration of the chests is not quite right,
these pictures may give us a good idea of the wealth of the Tilney family.
I believe goods from the Orient were very popular with upper class genteel families at this time.

I wonder if Catherine had seen 'japanned' furniture before.
With Henry's story on the way to the Abbey she is curious and intrigued by the 'coincidence.'

Thanks indeed for these pictures, Julie :)

There is also a picture of a 'japanned' cabinent which Le Faye suggests maybe similar to the one Catherine Morland found in her bedromat the abbey.
D. Le Faye. 'The World of her Novels', p.216.