Late 19th Century Qing Dynasty Elm Armoire

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An exceptional 19th-century Chinese Qing Dynasty period tapered wedding cabinet crafted from beautifully grained solid elmwood. This elegant armoire features … Read more An exceptional 19th-century Chinese Qing Dynasty period tapered wedding cabinet crafted from beautifully grained solid elmwood. This elegant armoire features a traditional Ming-style profile with subtly sloped sides and classic flush corner joints.The front facade features two large doors that open to a spacious storage interior. It is anchored by a large, iconic circular brass medallion faceplate with its original slide lock pin. Directly beneath the main cabinet structure is a lower apron featuring an intricately hand-carved openwork structural panel showcasing traditional relief motifs. The rich honey-toned natural finish highlights the active, swirling wood grain patterns perfectly. A functional and timeless statement piece perfect for modern or traditional interiors

There are symbolism in the carving. At the lower left and right corners are bats the symbol of good fortune. In the middle that might be a water vessel or wine. I don’t know much about the water vessel except I once read that water carry a boat or over turn it and it represents relationships or marriages.
The two Fu can mean several things. Two represent male and female or yen & yang. They are protective of wealth I think.
The two winged creatures might be dragons, 5 toed reserved for the emperor. So they represent power. The chrysanthemums bloom in autumn, surviving past summer flowers so they represent longevity like storks. See less