Description
About
The Chinese wedding cabinet is a central part of the bride’s 嫁妆 (Jiàzhuāng), which is the collection of gifts, dowry, and personal belongings she brings from her parents’ home to her new husband’s home.
The wedding cabinet is not ordinary furniture; its design is imbued with symbolism:
- Colour: They are almost always a vibrant red (红色, Hóngsè), the colour of joy, luck, and celebration in Chinese culture. The lacquer is often deep and lustrous.
- Materials: Made from high-quality, durable woods like elm (榆木, Yùmù) or camphor (樟木, Zhāngmù). Elm sounds like “余 (yú),” meaning “surplus,” wishing the couple abundance. Camphor wood is prized for repelling moths and insects, thus protecting the precious contents inside—a practical metaphor for preserving the marriage.
- Hardware: The handles, locks, and corners are often ornate, featuring traditional motifs like:
Phoenixes (凤凰, Fènghuáng): Symbolising the bride and the union with the dragon (the groom).
Peonies (牡丹, Mǔdān): Representing wealth, honour, and prosperity.
Butterflies (蝴蝶, Húdié): A symbol of undying love and marital happiness.
This restored antique Chinese wedding cabinet originates from the Manchurian region. It embodies the robust, pragmatic, and highly decorative style of Northern Chinese furniture, crafted primarily from elm wood—a timber prized for its beautiful, prominent grain and durability. The restoration has preserved its soulful character, allowing the natural wear of the wood and the faded elegance of its paintings to tell a story of a bygone era.
This elegant wedding cabinet boasts a rich red lacquer finish, intricately hand-decorated with gold floral and bird motifs. The front panels display finely detailed blossoms and foliage framed by an ornate border, showcasing the craftsmanship typical of traditional Chinese decorative art. The cabinet rests on short, inward-curved Tiger legs and has double doors with a central circular lock plate, opening to reveal interior storage space.
The combination of deep red lacquer and gilded embellishments evokes both opulence and harmony, hallmarks of Qing Dynasty–inspired furniture design. Its compact form and balanced proportions make it suitable as an accent piece in a living room, entryway, or dining area, blending easily with both traditional and contemporary interiors.
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Summary of Symbolism on the Front:
🐟 **Carp (Fish) Symbolism**
In Chinese culture, **carp (鲤鱼, lǐ yú)** are powerful symbols of:
**Abundance and wealth** — because “鱼 (yú)” sounds like “余,” meaning “surplus” or “abundance.”
**Perseverance and success** — from the legend of the **carp leaping over the Dragon Gate**, transforming into a dragon (symbolising achieving great success).
**Harmony in pairs** — two carp often symbolize **marital harmony** or **a happy partnership**, as they swim gracefully together.
| Daisies | Innocence, purity, faithfulness and loyalty |
| Lotus/water | Purity; continuous peace |
| Peony | Beauty; prosperity; marital success |
| Red & gold | Joy; fortune; auspicious blessings |
Country of Origin
c.1910 Manchuria, China
Dimensions
Width 156cm x Depth 40cm x Height 92cm
Materials
Solid wood
Care instructions
Clean with a soft cloth
Keep away from heat sources or direct sunlight
Delivery details
You are always welcome to come to pick the goods up at our store or our warehouse in Bristol free of charge
Goods will usually be dispatched within 3 working days after the payment has been received for a distance purchase
Delivery Cost within mainland UK for this item – £60.00
Due to the size and weight of this item, it is dispatched using our bespoke furniture courier service, delivered on a mutually convenient day. We will contact you via email for the delivery arrangement
We deliver all our products globally. Any enquiries, including international delivery please contact us at nookdeco@gmail.com. or info@nookdeco.co.uk
