Original price
GBP £ 2995
Converted price
Description
DeepL TranslateShanxi, circa 1830
This beautifully proportioned cabinet was crafted in Shanxi province around the early nineteenth century and is a fine example of the richly decorated lacquer furniture for which the region is renowned. Made from elm wood and finished in a deep black lacquer, the piece has developed a wonderfully aged patina, with areas of natural wear and soft speckling that reveal its nearly two centuries of history.
Across the front, delicate hand-painted motifs in warm shades of red, gold and green depict blossoms, foliage and auspicious symbols - traditional emblems of happiness, prosperity, and long life. These include various birds - one with a berry in its beak as a symbol for abundance, along with dancing butterflies to represent long life and marital joy. The decoration extends along the bottom panel below the doors and the outer uprights, with floral motifs interspersed with long life symbols in muted green, adding subtle detail and visual interest without overwhelming the cabinet's elegant, linear form.
The cabinet features two pairs of double doors, each set with a circular brass lock plate and original metal fittings that retain their time-worn character. Inside, a fitted drawer and full-width shelf provide practical storage—typical of northern Chinese cabinetry from the early Qing era—making the piece as functional today as it was when first produced.
This impressive cabinet would work beautifully as a sideboard in a dining room, as a statement piece in a hallway, or for refined storage in a living space. Its deep lacquer tones and painterly details would bring warmth and authenticity to both traditional and contemporary interiors, offering a rare and atmospheric example of Shanxi craftsmanship.
Last updated: 11/12/25
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