Chinese Painted Autumn Harvest Cabinet, C. 1800

Details

Description

A celebration of autumn, this antique Chinese storage cabinet from the early 19th century is hand-painted from head to toe … Read more A celebration of autumn, this antique Chinese storage cabinet from the early 19th century is hand-painted from head to toe with motifs for the changing seasons. Painted at the bottom corners are two leafy cabbages, or bok choys, a favorite motif of the gallery and a symbol for unexpected wealth & abundance.

Traditionally, after the autumn harvest, cabbages would be hung outdoors in front of the home to be preserved through the winter. The sight of bountiful cabbages consequently became a shared source of comfort and cultural pride.

The cabinet doors are painted with bird-and-flower pairings of the four seasons, including chrysanthemums for autumn, camellia for winter, plum blossoms for spring, and lotus for summer. This four flower motif is repeated in vignettes across the cabinet frame, framed within cartouches, scrolls and fans, and again on the pages of an expandable book stretching across the top. Even the richly worn lacquer finish hints at fall - the deep orange tone reminiscent of changing leaves, ripe persimmons or early sunsets.

Additional Dimensions:
Door Opening: 23.5"W
Upper Shelf: 30.5"H
Lower Shelf: 23.5"H See less