Gansu, circa 1920

This elegant side cabinet is crafted from poplar wood and showcases a traditional design often found in storage units made in the eastern part of Gansu province or in Inner Mongolia. Originally used for storing grain, the cabinet has been repurposed into a more practical modern storage cabinet by cutting down a larger unit and by adding a door in the front, adapting the original fixed panel. When it was first made, the inside of the unit would have been accessed only by removing a half board lid in the top. In this case the board has been maintained in its original form, adding a unique feature to the piece.

The cabinet features traditional colours for this type of piece, with black lacquer used for the chunky outer frames and contrasting red and cream for the front. The paintings on the front of the door show a vase of flowers and a calligraphy brush pot amongst other personal possessions, serving as a common theme designed to reflect the owner’s scholarly status. Once much brighter, over time the colours have faded to more subtle tones, lending an aged, antiquated appearance to the cabinet.

Featuring a single removable shelf, the cabinet offers practical storage in a bedroom or living room, and would be a unique conversation starter in any space.