1920s Shanghai Art Deco Sideboard

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In the first three decades of the 20th Century, Shanghai was the Paris of the East. This time ran simultaneously … Read more In the first three decades of the 20th Century, Shanghai was the Paris of the East. This time ran simultaneously as the Art Deco Period, which greatly influenced the style of furniture that furnished many Western Style houses built for Europeans and nouveau riche Chinese. The reason why Shanghai has so many Western business and residential buildings that are still extant and in full use today is due to China's loss in the Opium War. Under the Treaty of Nanking (1842), China was forced to open several ports to foreign trade, including Shanghai. From a modest regional city and river port, Shanghai as a treaty port had foreign controlled "concessions" established in parts of the city. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Shanghai grew rapidly into one of Asia's most important commercial and financial centers. Banks, shipping companies, factories, newspapers and trading houses flourished.

A new style of furniture was manufactured to fill the Western style commercial buildings and residences. The furniture was greatly influenced by Art Deco but still showed Chinese influence and built in the traditional Chinese manner using joinery and without nails. This cabinet is a fine example of the unique style of Shanghai Art Deco furniture. The most striking feature is the heavily carved frieze that decorated the top of the cabinet. The elaborate spray of flowers and leaves is a good contrast to the 3 sets of parallel lines that run on the sides and center of the cabinet. The wood structure is finished in a deep rich brown, a color common to Shanghai wood furniture from this period. See less