Shaanxi, circa 1800

This extraordinary cabinet is from a temple in Shaanxi province in central China – home of the ancient Chinese capital of Xian. It is at least 200 years old and still has its original dark red and black lacquer finish and wonderful carvings around the frame, drawers and outer panels. The deep, ornate carvings are distinctive of furniture produced in the Shaanxi region and depict various flowers. The two front feet are also beautifully carved. The cabinet has two central doors with rounded frames, set with a fixed panel either side. Certainly made by a highly skilled craftsman, very few of these pieces were ever produced and they are very much investment pieces these days. We know of one or two others in Beijing that are being kept by the owner of the restoration workshop as part of his retirement fund! At around five feet wide and five feet high, the cabinet needs a large space to house it, but would certainly be a dramatic statement piece in the right setting.