This excellent example of a Qing dynasty (1644 - 1912) black lacquer Chinese sideboard features beautiful paintings of scholarly objects with rabbit detailing along the lower panels. The lacquer and painting are original dating from the 19th century - It also has its original brass hardware. Much antique brass and iron hardware from furniture was robbed and molten down during the reign of Mao. 

The scholarly symbols featured on the doors of this cabinet denoted the scholarly status of the owner. The unusual feature of rabbits on this cabinet might suggest the birth year of the original owner. Rabbits were the luckiest of all the zodiac animals in China and symbolise elegance, beauty & mercy. The original kickboard features a fishlike water dragon. 

Shanxi sideboards were usually made from locally sourced wood, in this case, northern elm wood (yumu 榆木 ). This style of sideboard was a staple in Shanxi province and would have been used as altar cabinets, for burning incense and making offerings to the ancestors. An ancestor painting would often be hung above.

From Shanxi Province, China

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