Gansu, circa 1920

This highly striking sideboard has an unusual, ‘butterfly’ front profile formed by the overhanging top surface and carved spandrels at each side that taper down to the feet. The sideboard is from Gansu in western China, and the decorative paintings, showing flowers and various prized vases and bronzes, are typical of the region. The quirky configuration of the doors and drawers is unusual, set centrally within panels but providing access to the wider space inside. On the right hand side, the wider of the three drawers can be removed to allow the ‘secret’, more secure space underneath to be reached as a place to store more valuable items. The once bright, vibrant colours have now faded to a more autumnal palette against the now brown background, easily incorporated into a modern space.