{"product_id":"3-door-painted-sideboard-from-qinghai","title":"3 Door Painted Sideboard From Qinghai - 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful \u003cstrong\u003e19th century painted sideboard\u003c\/strong\u003e originates from \u003cstrong\u003eQinghai Province, China\u003c\/strong\u003e, where it was traditionally used by local families for storing clothing, grain and other household possessions. Finished in its original richly aged red lacquer, the cabinet retains a remarkable painted façade depicting scenes of scholarly life and traditional symbolism. The three hand-painted panels portray a scholar at his desk, a still life of scholarly objects and a figure working in a garden landscape, each accompanied by Chinese calligraphy. Together, these decorative motifs represent wisdom, learning, prosperity and the virtues associated with the scholar-gentleman in Chinese culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally, this cabinet would have functioned as a traditional Qinghai storage chest, accessed from the top by a hinged hatch. At some point in its history, it was thoughtfully converted with front-opening doors, making it considerably more practical for modern use while preserving its original painted decoration and character. Cabinets of this type were also commonly used as \u003cstrong\u003efamily altar cabinets\u003c\/strong\u003e, housing ancestral tablets and offerings within the home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside, the cabinet is divided into three spacious compartments, each fitted with its own shelf, providing generous and practical storage. The beautifully worn painted finish, softened by decades of use, gives the piece exceptional warmth and authenticity, making it equally suited to traditional interiors or as a striking statement piece within a contemporary setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e For further reading on painted furniture from northern China, see \u003cem\u003eChinese Domestic Furniture\u003c\/em\u003e by Gustav Ecke, one of the seminal reference works on traditional Chinese furniture and regional craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Qinghai Province, China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19th Century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elm and Mixed Hardwoods with Original Polychrome Painted Finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal hand-painted front depicting scholarly and garden scenes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditional Chinese calligraphy to each painted panel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginally a top-opening storage cabinet, later converted with front-opening doors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree internal storage compartments, each with a fixed shelf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich original painted surface with exceptional aged patina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditionally used for storing clothing and grain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlso used historically as a family ancestor altar cabinet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good antique condition with age-related wear, surface losses, fading and patination to the original painted finish, all consistent with its age and long history of use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e W241 x D45 x H90 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight: \u003c\/strong\u003e87kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Indigo Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57832446656895,"sku":"C2774","price":3450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0217\/2522\/files\/Antique_Chinese_3_Door_Painted_Sideboard_C2774.jpg?v=1782383044","url":"https:\/\/www.indigo-uk.com\/products\/3-door-painted-sideboard-from-qinghai","provider":"Indigo Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}