Chinese Chest of Drawers

A collection of Chinese chests of drawers that combines traditional apothecary craftsmanship with modern rustic design — from antique medicine chests of Shanxi to contemporary reclaimed pine tallboys.

Antique Apothecary & Scholar’s Chests

Classic Chinese apothecary chests were originally made for herbalists, scholars and physicians, each drawer carefully labelled for medicinal roots and tonics. Crafted in elm or northern pine, they feature hand-cut joinery, iron fittings and rich lacquer finishes that have aged to deep, tactile patina. Originating from Shanxi and other northern provinces, these historic cabinets bring structure, warmth and authenticity to contemporary interiors.

Reclaimed Pine & Modern Rustic Designs

Complementing the antiques, our modern reclaimed pine chests draw on the same balance and proportion found in traditional Chinese furniture. Built from salvaged wood and finished with subtle limewash or sunbleached tones, they embody a wabi-sabi simplicity — celebrating natural variation, grain and timeworn texture. The result is furniture that feels both rustic and refined, designed for practical storage and quiet beauty.

Craftsmanship & Character

Every chest reflects the hallmarks of Chinese joinery — hand-cut drawers, precise structure and elegant restraint. Whether antique or newly made, these pieces express harmony between function and form, uniting modern rustic sensibility with centuries of skilled craftsmanship.

Styling & Atmosphere

Use lacquered apothecary chests as striking hallway storage or reclaimed pine tallboys for bedrooms and living rooms. Pair aged red lacquer with neutral plaster and stone, or pale pine with linen and ceramics for a calmer, wabi-sabi interior. Each piece brings a tactile sense of history to the modern home.