Chinese Deco Cabinet

This provincial tapered cabinet dates to the early 20th century and was once used in a rural Chinese kitchen to store dish ware, baskets and other kitchen supplies. Crafted of pine with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, the tall cabinet has a lightweight design with a tapered A-frame, an overhung top and plenty of storage, including two drawers and two enclosed compartments. The upper compartment opens by two central doors secured with a brass latch on chrysanthemum plates...

This lacquered display cabinet from Shanxi province was crafted in the mid-19th century using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery methods. The enclosed lower half was used for general storage and the open upper shelf was used to display precious objects such as vases, curios, or piles of books. The exterior is darkened by a black lacquer finish and hand-painted with charming decorative motifs, including bronze censers, flower vases, scrolls, and scholars' objects. Original brass hardware secures the doors, now richly aged with a smooth patina and subtle oxidation. Unusual for its smaller scale, we love this painted cabinet in a children's bedroom or playroom as an unexpected bookcase or toy chest...