One of the most basic needs in any household is the storage of food and utensils. The traditional Chinese kitchen cabinet is an ingenious and attractive response to this storage issue. Designed to meet a particular need, these cabinet make wonderful accent piece in the modern home.
The type of kitchen cabinet most often seen come from southern China. The first point to note is its functional utility. The upper part of the cabinet usually has four doors with drawers underneath. A special feature is the small perforations on the doors that allow steam from plates of hot food to be released. There is a panel on the inside of the door that can be adjusted to open or seal the perforated space.
The lower half of the cabinet has sliding open lattice doors and the shelves are also latticed. This open ventilated space is also good for food storage or to place plates and pans to air and dry.
The second point about these cabinets is the beautiful ornamentation. The doors display finely executed carving of figures and floral motifs. The figures may be the legendary Eight Immortals or scenes from famous stories and opera. The flowers are symbolic and represent wishes for a long and prosperous life.
The original practicality makes these cabinets ideal for storing crockery, cutlery and glassware. Being able to ventilate makes them a good option for storing clothes and linen. The delicate carving on kitchen cabinets and the underlying positive symbolism provides a warm and welcoming accent to any room in which they are placed.
As with antique furniture, Chinese kitchen cabinets are becoming scarce. Also, their complex and intricate construction means that their restoration is very time-consuming and requires specialized skills.
Place of Origin: Zhejiang,China (Mainland)
Height: 77" Width: 52.5" Depth: 25.5"