Antique Chinese Walnut Cabinet in Arts and Crafts Style

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Chinese antique cabinet in arts and crafts style is a misnomer. There has never been an arts and crafts period … Read more Chinese antique cabinet in arts and crafts style is a misnomer. There has never been an arts and crafts period in China, and this cabinet was made almost a good century before. However, when it was on displayed in our showroom, clients often identified it as "that arts and craft cabinet" and so the name stuck. Of the years sourcing for antique furniture in China, this is the only piece of furniture that fits the name. The clean lines devoid of ornamentation save the apron with the wavy lines, is clearly evocative of Ming Dynasty design.

The cabinet came from Shanxi Province in North Central China. The area was forested and northern elm, walnut and cedar were the preferred furniture wood. Walnut is a softer hardwood and it has a rich dark color. The cabinet has a hanging top, recessed sides ending in four feet. The interior of the cabinet is divided into thirds. The top section has a pair of simple lattice doors, underneath is a pair of panel doors in mitered frames pen to the two thirds divided by a shelf. It offers a lot of room for storage. The hardware is simple and the doors are pegged so there are no hinges. At the bottom, above the apron are two drawers.

The cabinet is more than 150 years old and it has aged well and is still a functional piece of furniture. See less