Painted Antique Qinghai Display Cabinet

This beautiful cabinet has a worn black lacquer finish and paintings that were typically seen on furniture from Qinghai province in western China. The upper shelf, framed to the sides and above, is a feature often removed from pieces like this in recent times to create more practical sideboards. Traditionally used to store documents and prized objects, the cabinet today would serve as a stunning display or book cabinet. Though slightly faded, the paintings of flower vases and other valuables on the doors are still in good condition. Paintings like these were a common feature, designed to denote the owner's high rank, wealth and status. Keeping with the Qinghai custom, the doors are centrally placed, with fixed panels on either side.