Antique Chinese Lacquered , Carved &Gilt Shrine/ Display Cabinet*LOCAL PICKUP*

Description: This is a local pick Up only . I did not see the option of local pickup when listed this cabinet. Local pick up in Lexington , SC I purchased this lovely red and black 2 piece compound cabinet with beautiful gold gilt carved panels that display auspicious symbols that represent good luck and long life . The butterfly is seen many times in the carved relief panels around the cabinet as well as , family scenes. The Shanxi province is famous for making beautiful furniture and because of the location , many pieces of the furniture survived for us to enjoy today . In the Shanxi Provence wood was considered important and techniques like applying a layer of cloth or clay before the lacquer has helped to preserve the furniture for generations . Shanxi is particularly famous for the large red and black cabinets that are often given as a wedding dowry . This 2 piece compound cabinet has a top area that would be great for displaying items but in the past would have been used for incense or a shrine where you would place important objects and some would use as an alter. The top piece of the back of the display shelves has an amazing painting of many flowers, birds and foliage . The birds and flowers are incredibly beautiful. Around all these painting are deep relief carved gilt panels. These are carved families or people from legends , carved butterflies which mean good luck , and so many other carvings. The sides of the cabinet is painted with birds, flora and foliage as well . Gilt carving through out the piece , on drawers and gilt foo dogs which represent protection I believe The foo dogs are located in the area you would have displayed your prized possessions or in the alter /shrine area of the top cabinet . This piece was dated to have been built in 1860-1870. It has scratches and chips and wear from everyday use , because this piece was probably used and not just displayed in China. We often forget when we purchased older items that we display and admire them but in other cultures they were used from day to day , and often taken apart for travel and put back together . That’s the beauty of the cabinet, this piece has been used and loved for many before I purchased it 25 years ago, and still has so much life left . The bottom chest , side board style, has 2 drawers up top and 2 doors on the bottom that open into a storage area with 2 shelves . The doors are also painted with birds , flora and fauna . The side of the bottom chest is as well . The cabinet shows age appropriate wear , there are scuffs where the drawers have been opened because there are no modern tracks for them to open on . There are chips in the painting and the inside shelf has a piece of Elmwood , a sliver , that I glued back. I took many pictures , the chest is gorgeous but shows wear which makes it even more special . It has the original hardware, as far as I know , and it does show shrinkage from age and from being in a more humid climate . Shrinkage happens with certain types of wood and also with age. We lived in a coastal town for many years and I’m sure that was not ideal . You can see the back wall of the top display area has places where the panels have shrunk . I’m sure the paint in those areas could be touched up but I never did . I liked it as is but Im sure it could be totally refinished. The cabinet is 42” wide and 78 1/2 “ tall. The inside of the bottom doors , the back of the storage area has a hole that must have been cut for cords or something similar. No Shipping unless you use a particular freight line and can help facilitate. This beautiful chest and piece of history can be picked up Locally . Local Pick Up Only . In Lexington , SC

Price: 3200 USD

Location: Lexington, South Carolina

End Time: 2024-11-12T09:54:27.000Z

Shipping Cost: 12.95 USD