Chinese Elm Compound Cabinet From Beijing - 19th Century

This antique elm & maple Chinese compound cabinet (dasijiangui) dates to the 19^th century, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911). The style is indicative of those found in Beijing and the surrounding area of Hebei province. Similar styles exist from Tianjin, however cabinets from this area are almost exclusively camphor with recessed sides. Original Chinese cabinets like this have become rare to find and have a growing popularity with the Chinese market. It has retained its original hat box which is often separated and its original brass hardware. 

The doors are cut from matching planks of northern elm wood (yumu) and the drawers and sides are maple (fengmu)

This style of classical Chinese cabinet is known as a compound cabinet. The top section is referred to as a hat box where hats and out-of-season clothes were stored. The main cabinet would have been a repository for everyday garments with bedding packed into the lower body of the cabinet. Some of these cabinets were so large that ladders were required to use them. 

Both the top and bottom sections offer large interior storage spaces. The bottom section is separated by two shelves and the top shelf has two drawers underneath. The foot of the cabinet features opposing carved dragons - probably chilong (young dragons) and the entire cabinet features a spectacular wood grain.

A similar example can be found in "Chinese Furniture: A Guide to collecting antiques" by Mazurkewich - page 129 - Fig 327. 

Dimensions:

125 x 53 x 255.5 (wxdxh cms)

Height excluding hat chest: 177.5 cms

From China

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