Antique Chinese Cabinets

Our eclectic range of antique Chinese cabinets epitomises the highest traditions of craftsmanship and oriental luxury. The majority of these fine examples date from the Qing dynasty (1644–1912 AD), a period when Chinese cabinet-making achieved both technical sophistication and decorative richness. Each piece reflects centuries of artistry, proportion, and harmony — uniting utility with enduring beauty.

Origins and Evolution

Cabinets weren't widely used in China until the Song dynasty (960–1279 AD). Before that time, storage took the form of chests and boxes, suited to the floor-level lifestyle of early Chinese interiors. With the rise of chair-level living during the Ming and Qing dynasties, tall cabinets became central to the domestic arrangement — often made in pairs to achieve visual and spatial balance within a room. Each cabinet traditionally contained one or two internal shelves and was used to store garments, scrolls, and treasured possessions.

Forms and Styles

Traditional Chinese cabinets are divided into four principal types: display cabinets, square-cornered cabinets, round-cornered cabinets, and open shelves. Square-cornered cabinets (fangjiaogui) exhibit structural clarity and right-angled joinery, while round-cornered examples (yuanjiaogui) soften the silhouette with graceful curvature. Provincial cabinet-makers during the Qing dynasty introduced practical innovations, adding drawers and varying proportions for domestic use — blending Ming restraint with rural creativity.

Materials and Craftsmanship

The most common timbers were elm (榆木 / yúmù), zelkova /southern elm (榉木 / jǔmù), walnut (胡桃木 / hútáomù), and camphor (樟木 / zhāngmù), although pine and poplar were also used for more provincial pieces. Each was joined using mortise-and-tenon carpentry — requiring no nails or glue — and fitted with finely shaped brass mounts and lock plates. More luxurious examples were made in rosewood (紫檀木 / zǐtán), huanghuali (黄花梨 / huánghuālì), or chicken-wing wood (鸡翅木 / jīchìmù), highly prized by the Chinese elite and commanding extraordinary values of many millions of dollars.

Lacquer, Gilding and Decoration

Most Qing dynasty examples were finished in red or black lacquer, colours symbolising prosperity and protection. In the northern provinces — particularly Shanxi — workshops produced richly gilded and painted cabinets for the upper classes, local officials, and wealthy merchants. These pieces, adorned with auspicious floral and landscape motifs, combined storage with artistic display. The result was furniture that expressed rank and virtue as much as craftsmanship.

Function and Presence

Chinese cabinets were highly functional yet deeply symbolic — representing household stability and moral order. Whether constructed for the scholar’s studio, the dowry chamber, or the main hall, each cabinet was built to last for generations. Today, these timeless forms remain perfectly suited to contemporary interiors, serving as wardrobes, storage cabinets, or statement pieces that bring a sense of calm structure and quiet opulence to modern spaces.