Mid-Century Chinese Brass-Mounted Hardwood Cabinet With Lock & Calligraphy Interior

Details

Description

Vintage East Asian two-door accent cabinet in warm toned wood, dating to the 1960s–70s, in the tansu/bandaji tradition. The doors … Read more Vintage East Asian two-door accent cabinet in warm toned wood, dating to the 1960s–70s, in the tansu/bandaji tradition. The doors are fitted with engraved brass butterfly hinges, brass corner mounts, and a sculptural shaped lock plate on a cloud-form medallion, complete with its original tasseled key. The top corners flare outward in the traditional everted "ear" silhouette, and the case rests on gently splayed bracket feet. Inside, the single open compartment is lined with pages of block-printed Chinese text drawn from a Three Kingdoms–era historical narrative — a decorative practice traditional to East Asian cabinetry of this kind. A versatile small-scale piece — lovely as a bedside cabinet, entry table accent, or display stand.
(Position of lock is not in locked position in photos it is hanging loosely)

Curated from the private collection of artist Eve Paige Spencer, whose work is held in the permanent collection of the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College, California, and her husband, writer and art collector Donner Spencer during their Chinese, Japanese and Korean collecting years.

Dimensions:
19"W
17¼"H
10¾"D See less