Red and Black Gansu Storage Cabinet, 1890s

Contrasting red panels and a black lacquer frame are commonly seen in storage cabinets from Gansu and Inner Mongolia in northern China, crafted from sturdy pine for storing grain. Characteristically constructed from thick, bulky frames and accessed through detachable top panels, these cabinets are often modified when restored, with the top boards sealed and doors included in the front made from the original stationary panels. Consequently, they make excellent exclusive sideboards for storing items in a contemporary household.

The finish and paintings present a vintage aura, with the doors’ once vibrant red hue now faded and muted. In the centre of each door, a cream-colored rectangle adorns various personal artifacts – such as flower vases, books, and furniture – in a composition intended to illustrate the owner’s scholarly authority. The carved bottom apron, inserted between prominent rounded edges, provides a further decorative element. with a single shelf inside, this sideboard serves as a unique and stylish statement piece, perfect for a hallway or living area.