Description
About
This beautiful original two-door cabinet has been restored without relacquering, preserving the delicate, time-softened beauty of its traditional whitewash finish. The surface retains a luminous, chalky patina—subtly translucent, with faint brush marks and gentle wear that speak of a century of quiet elegance.
At the base of the frame, two hand-carved panels add understated character. Though similar in motif, they are intentionally asymmetrical—a charming hallmark of provincial craftsmanship, where harmony trumps rigid symmetry.
On the left door, faint calligraphy poetry emerges like a whisper from the past—elegant ink strokes barely visible beneath the whitewash, evoking scholarly reflection. The hand-painted peonies and roses across both doors remain strikingly vivid, their gleaming pigments—crimson, coral, and soft rose—set against the muted ground like jewels in moonlight.
This style of whitewashed floral cabinet was once highly favoured in the homes of local gentry and landlords in the rural areas surrounding Qingdao (Tsingtao) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries—a regional aesthetic blending Confucian restraint with romantic naturalism.
For modern use, new shelves have been sensitively added to the interior—crafted from matching aged wood and finished to blend seamlessly.
A rare and poetic survivor, this cabinet is not merely furniture—it is a fragment of rural Chinese gentility, where faded poetry, blooming flowers, and asymmetrical grace converge in serene, understated splendour.
Country of Origin
c.1900 Shandong Province, China
Dimensions
Width 157cm x Depth 40cm x Height 86cm
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
Delivery Cost within mainland UK- £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 deliver our goods internationally. Please email us at info@nookdeco.co.uk with your enquiries.
