19th C. Chinese Qing Elm Two-Door Cabinet, Original Red & Black Lacquer

A Qing Dynasty square-corner cabinet (fang jiao gui) in solid elm, built in the mid-to-late 19th century in the manner of a Northern Chinese provincial workshop. The case carries its original layered red and black lacquer — never refinished — with the deep crazing, abrasion, and red underpaint exposure that come only from generations of household use. A large circular brass lock plate (yuan xing mian ye) centers the two doors, flanked by paired teardrop pulls over a crossbar lock mechanism. The original cast-brass flower-form key, with a lotus-style head, accompanies the lot. Side panels retain remnants of a painted floral medallion in the surviving lacquer.

Construction is mortise-and-tenon throughout, with a vertical-plank back and a recessed bracket base. Inside, two removable shelves sit beneath a carved scalloped apron at the top of the interior. Cabinets of this form were core household furniture across merchant and gentry homes; the circular lock plate in particular is associated with bridal and household-goods storage. Surviving in unrestored polychrome finish with its complete original hardware set — lock plate, pulls, and matching key — this example holds the qualities collectors prize over cleaned or stripped pieces.

Qing-period provincial elm cabinets in original lacquer with intact hardware command a premium over refinished examples. Comparable two-door elm fang jiao gui in original-finish condition have realized roughly $800–$2,200 at auction in recent years, with retail listings on design platforms ranging considerably higher. The presence of the original brass lock plate and matching flower-form key — a complete, functioning set — is the kind of detail that separates a decorator piece from a collector's one.

CONDITION

Good, original unrestored condition. The lacquer shows expected crazing, chipping, finish wear, and loss with red underpaint exposed in numerous areas; the case remains sturdy and joinery is sound. Both removable shelves present; brass lock plate, paired pulls, and original key all intact.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 68 1/4" H × 41" W × 21 1/2" D
• Material: Solid elm, original red and black lacquer
• Joinery: Mortise-and-tenon
• Interior: Two removable shelves (19.75" and 19.5" heights) beneath carved scalloped apron
• Hardware: Circular brass lock plate, paired teardrop pulls, crossbar lock, original brass flower-form key
• Period: Qing Dynasty, 19th century