Antique Cabinet With Carving With Marble Top From Chaozhou South China

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This unique antique cabinet with beautiful lattice work was specially commissioned to be used as a display cabinet for ceramics … Read more This unique antique cabinet with beautiful lattice work was specially commissioned to be used as a display cabinet for ceramics and curios. The interior shelves are staggered to allow tall vases to be displayed with round bowls, square boxes, jades and snuff bottles. Both sides of the cabinet have geometric lattice panels so the antique objects could be viewed on all three sides. Cabinets with elaborate lattice doors and sides come from a special region in South China where the craftsmen were equally skilled in building ocean going (Westerners named them junks) ships, elaborate temples and exquisite furniture. The area is around Chaozhou, of which Swatow is the seaport, one of the early treaty ports that could do business with westerners. In additional to furniture, the craftsmen and artisans made beautiful ceramics, embroideries and wood carvings.

The age of the cabinet is reflected in the original patina. The wood is a type of softwood and the original mahogany lacquer finish did not hold up resulting in this look. The original top is replaced by a piece of travertine.

The small size of the cabinet is easily placed in the home. It can be a dry bar, liquor and barwares can be kept in the shelves below. Or it can serve its original purpose, to be a display cabinet for antiques and collectibles. See less