ANTIQUE CHINESE QING DYNASTY SHANXI BLACK LACQUER A-FRAME ROUND CORNER CABINET

Description

GJPaw
Auctions is pleased to offer for sale a rare and gorgeous antique Chinese Lacquered Cabinet. It is beautifully crafted from elm wood and originates from the Shanxi province, famous not only for the finest furniture made during the Qing dynasty, but also
large red or black lacquer cabinets which would be given as part of a wedding dowry.
This particularly fine black lacquer example has an overhanging roof, 3 drawers and two removable double-hinged doors.
The legs are slightly splayed, giving it a subtle tapered A-frame silhouette, creating the impression of upward movement. The A-frame cabinet has become to epitomize elegance, proportion and restraint, which conveys a sense of completeness, perfection and serenity. For those who admire the simple, clear lines of Bauhaus furniture, these are the Chinese equivalents of perfection, with form and function combining in beauty and practicality in a way that is so characteristic of Chinese antique furniture.
The measurements are 51 inches in length by 21 inches deep by 70 inches in height (129 cm by 53 cm by 178 cm). It is in very good used condition, with wear consistent to a dating from the 19th century. Importantly, it is an intact, original piece. It also has a fine provenance coming from an important U.S. mid-west collection. This is a rare and beautiful piece, excellent for today’s décor, and a unique opportunity for a collector of fine antique furniture to adorn either an office or home, while savoring the culture, traditions and lifestyle of Chinese civilization.
The Chinese character for cabinet (
柜
)
consists of the wood radical and a three-sided frame enclosing the character preciousness. Literally, cabinets of China had been made of wood and used for the containment of precious possessions. Their earliest form can be traced as far back as 433.B.C. Chinese cabinets were functional objects as well as works of art and came in various shapes, sizes, forms, and designs to hold a variety of objects, often in pairs symbolizing
double happiness.
There are two main styles of large Chinese cabinets, their names derived from
their contours: the square-corner cabinet and the round-corner cabinet (also known as the tapered or sloping-style, wood-hinged cabinet).
The cabinet featured is a fine example of a round-cornered cabinet. These cabinets were crafted with removable doors with wooden pivots at each end. The doors could then be slotted directly into the frame of the cabinets, resulting in a design with extremely clean lines. Wooden pivots or hinges allowed the doors to be removed easily, which gave the Chinese easy access for storing large objects or laying clothes lengthwise.
The genius of the design lies in the way the doors are both metal-hinged and also neatly swivel on rounded wooden pegs - and as exemplified in this superb black lacquer cabinet - a design distinguished by the beauty of the material and the simplicity of form reduced to flowing smooth lines and simple, extremely well constructed joinery. It would form a centerpiece in any collection of Chinese antiques and furniture.
Additional images are available by request, and can usually be provided within 1 business day.
Standard international freight shipping is NOT included for this item.
Please inquire for freight quote, which will include custom crating and packaging, and International freight to your closest port, business or residential address. Additional shipping options, such as freight forwarding or white glove service can be added upon request.
GJPaw
Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the Globe at
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