Chinese cabinet

Antique Chinese Lacquer Cabinet

Overview

This is a Chinese lacquered wood cabinet featuring hand-painted floral and vase motifs, adorned with a traditional Chinese brass pin lock. The piece has signs of age and wear consistent with an older item and includes a rare red wax import seal on the bottom of the drawer—likely a Chinese export or customs mark.

Description and Features

• Style: Qing Dynasty–inspired Chinese lacquer cabinet
• Construction: Solid wood with exposed mortise and tenon joints
• Surface Decoration:
  • Hand-painted floral designs in gold leaf and red hues on a black lacquer background
  • Inside drawer is painted red with gold floral motifs, a common aesthetic in 19th-century northern Chinese cabinetry
• Joinery: Appears to be traditional hand-cut joinery, possibly dovetail and pegged construction
• Hardware: Traditional Chinese brass lock plate and pin (likely original)
• Interior: Features one central drawer (red lacquered), shelf above and below
• Back panel: Hand-planed and nailed/slotted back, likely original to piece
• Markings: Red wax seal on drawer bottom, reads partially “Inspection 200” and includes Chinese characters. This is likely a 20th-century Chinese export wax seal, not from the 1700s.

Authenticity & Dating

Estimated Date: Late 19th century to early 20th century (circa 1880–1930)

While the style of this piece is in keeping with Qing Dynasty aesthetics (which ended in 1912), several clues point to a later manufacture date:

• The lacquer and motif style are commonly seen on export furniture produced for Western markets.
• The red wax import seal indicates the item passed through export controls, most likely post-1912 and particularly prevalent in the 1920s–30s.
• Condition and patina are consistent with 80–120 years of age.

This cabinet does not date to the 1700s, based on construction techniques, materials, and the presence of an export seal.

Cultural and Historical Context

Cabinets like this were made in northern China (often in Shanxi or Hebei provinces) and intended both for domestic use and export. The black lacquer with gold floral decoration is typical of the Qing period’s decorative tastes, especially for dowry chests or small bedroom cabinets.

Condition

• Overall: Good vintage condition
• Lacquer: Moderate alligatoring and flaking consistent with age
• Wood: Structurally sound with wear and minor losses
• Paint: Some fading, scratching, and paint loss, especially on high-contact areas
• Hardware: Appears original; good patina

Value Estimate (as of mid-2025)

Market Type

Estimated Value

Private Sale

$300 – $500 USD

Retail (Antique Dealer)

$600 – $900 USD

Auction (Mid-range)

$250 – $450 USD

Values may vary depending on the location, condition, and demand for Asian antiques.

Recommendations

• Professional Appraisal: If you plan to insure, donate, or sell at auction, it’s worth having a certified antique furniture appraiser confirm the construction techniques and age in person.
• Preservation: Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperature/humidity. Consider light cleaning with a dry cloth but do not refinish—original surface condition adds to the value.

Conclusion

Your item is a late Qing-style Chinese lacquered cabinet, likely dating between 1880–1930, made for domestic or export purposes. It is a fine decorative piece with cultural and collectible value, especially due to its intact traditional design, original painted motifs, and rare export seal.