A one-of-a-kind storage cabinet combining an original vintage Chinese carved panel with a newly handcrafted cabinet made from solid Chinese toon wood (Toona sinensis).
The vintage front panel, estimated to date from around the 1920s–1940s, features delicate openwork carving with traces of its original red, pink, green and gilt decoration. At the centre is a charming circular porcelain panel depicting a small bird perched on a branch.
Rather than restoring the old panel to look new, its faded colours, worn surfaces, small marks and irregularities have been retained, preserving the character it has acquired over many decades.
The surrounding cabinet is newly made from solid Chinese toon wood, providing a simple, dark-toned setting for the much older decorative panel. Inside, two shelves create three practical storage spaces for tea ware, small ceramics, jewellery, keepsakes or other treasured objects.
A particularly distinctive feature is the way the cabinet opens. The decorative front panel is secured in place by a traditional joinery-inspired wooden locking piece at the top. The small wooden piece can be lifted out, allowing the entire front panel to be removed and the interior accessed. When closed, the vintage panel becomes the decorative face of the cabinet.
The piece brings together old and new: preserving an original fragment of Chinese decorative craftsmanship while giving it a new and practical purpose for the home.
Dimensions: 27.5cm (D) x 43cm (H) x 37.5cm (W)
Shipping Category: Small
