A Chinese Side Cabinet

This tapered side chest was once part of a pair an elegant courtyard house. Its round-posted design dates to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and produces a refined profile at a small cost of interior space. The rearward slant also causes doors to close automatically. A center stile gives additional strength if the doors are locked. Inside a single, removeable shelf divides the space. The original finish was oxblood and traces of it still remain. The surface was gently restored in 1998 and covered in a thin layer of French polish (shellac). The piece is from coastal Zhejiang Province and was brought to Guangzhou for expert restoration. FINAL SALE.