Painted Antique Chinese Furniture

Painted antique Chinese furniture captures the artistry and symbolism of the Qing and early Republic periods — a world of lacquer, colour and craftsmanship shaped by the northern provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai and Mongolia.

Our painted Chinese furniture collection reflects centuries of regional artistry, where skilled craftsmen used natural stone and mineral pigments to decorate cabinets, sideboards and chests with auspicious designs. Vermilion (cinnabar) created vivid red lacquer — a symbol of joy and good fortune — while charcoal produced the deep blacks seen throughout Shanxi furniture. Many pieces were sealed with translucent lacquer, giving them a lustrous depth that has mellowed beautifully with age.

Northern Painted Furniture Traditions

In northern China, particularly in Shanxi and Gansu provinces, painters used a disciplined brush style to illustrate flowers, birds, and symbolic motifs — echoing folk tales and seasonal harmony. Furniture from these regions embodies the restrained elegance of the Qing dynasty, often with understated lines balanced by complex colourwork. Each painted sideboard or painted chest stands as a study in cultural refinement and functional beauty.

Opera Chests

Chinese Opera Chests are found exclusively in Shanxi Province and are bridal chests which date from the late 19th century. Crafted from paulownia wood (tong mu / 桐木), these painted cabinets feature vivid allegorical scenes from traditional Chinese opera, symbolising prosperity and cultural refinement. The use of mineral pigments such as vermilion and charcoal, sealed beneath lacquer, creates a distinctive palette unique to northern China.

Despite their name, Opera Chests were domestic pieces rather than theatrical storage, admired for their artistry and craftsmanship. Each has been sympathetically restored, retaining its original paintwork, lacquer and the graceful patina of age.

Dongbei & Northern Folk Furniture

From the far northeast, Dongbei sideboards and cabinets represent a different facet of Chinese painting. Dating from the early 20th century, these red lacquer pieces feature lively floral and bird designs painted in bold cinnabar and gold. Their joyful decoration and weathered lacquer surfaces embody a rustic vibrancy unique to the Dongbei region — furniture made to bring warmth and auspicious colour to the home.

Tibetan Influence & Regional Connections

While distinct from China’s regional schools, Tibetan painted furniture often shares aesthetic kinship through the use of mineral pigments and lacquer layering. Tibetan altar cabinets and temple chests display vivid cinnabar reds, ochres and greens, painted with dragons, lotus blossoms and deities — a sacred art form that influenced painters in Qinghai and western Gansu. Together, these traditions form a broader story of colour, devotion and cross-cultural artistry.

Styling Painted Chinese Furniture

Painted antique Chinese furniture brings rich texture and symbolism into contemporary interiors. A lacquered sideboard or opera chest can serve as a dramatic centrepiece, while smaller painted chests add warmth to modern minimalist rooms. Each piece balances artistry and practicality — a statement of heritage that endures with quiet confidence.