Japanese Spice Cabinet

This magnificent three-drawer bombe commode dates to the mid-18th century and exemplifies the Swedish Rococo furniture style. The commode has a pleasing curvilinear shape, a sinuous line drawn by the high knees, flared legs, and outward swell of its three drawers. The serpentine shape is characteristic of Swedish Rococo commodes, as is the distinctive parquetry veneer and thin gilt handles. Each of the three wide drawers is decorated with parquetry borders...

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...