Painted Gansu Grain Store Sideboard - 19th Century

This antique Gansu sideboard dates to the 19th century and this style was traditionally used by nomadic communities across Gansu and northern Shanxi provinces for the storage of clothing and grain. Pieces of this type also served an important ceremonial role as altar cabinets for family ancestor worship, making them both practical and culturally significant objects within the home.

Originally designed to open from the top via a hatch, this sideboard has been sympathetically adapted at a later date with front-opening doors to improve functionality, while retaining its original character. The painted decoration on the doors is particularly appealing, depicting a refined arrangement of household objects associated with scholarly pursuits, wisdom, and cultivation, alongside floral motifs displayed on elegant stands. What makes this piece especially desirable is the high degree of originality: the painting, carving, and surface patina are all original and show honest wear consistent with age and use.

Internally, the cabinet offers generous storage, featuring a large compartment with a removable shelf, complemented by two lower drawers, making it both a decorative and highly practical piece for contemporary interiors.

• Origin: Gansu & Northern Shanxi Provinces, China
• Date: 19th Century
• Materials: Wood With Original Painted Decoration
• Features: Original Painted Doors, Scholarly Motifs, Later Front-Opening Modification
• Condition: Original Paint And Surface With Wear Consistent With Age And Use
• Interior: Large Storage Compartment With Removable Shelf And Two Drawers
• Dimensions: W166 x D46 x H83 cm