Painted Gansu Sideboard - 19th Century

This antique Gansu sideboard was used for storing clothing and grain by the nomadic people of Gansu & Northern Shanxi in the 19th century. They were also used as altar cabinets for family ancestor worship. The front doors have been modified from the original closed front to make it more functional. It would have originally opened from the top by a hatch.

Its doors are decorated with a landscape scene on the left and a collection of lucky objects on the right. What's lovely about this piece is its relative originality as the painting and carving is all original. The doors are decorated with household objects and objects inspiring wisdom. 

These sideboards are incredibly practical with two doors opening outwards revealing three individual interior spaces separated by newly added removable shelves. Round marks can still be seen indicating where the locking plates would have been prior to alteration.