Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
How can I tell if my Chinese furniture is antique?
1 Answer
To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.
PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020
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Shop for Painted Chinese Cabinets on 1stDibs
Chinese Crackled Lacquer Noodle Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This painted Chinese cabinet dates to the mid-19th century and has a richly aged patina that only time can achieve.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Painted Book Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered display cabinet from Shanxi province was crafted in the mid-19th century using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery methods. The enclosed lower half was used for gene...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Materials
Elm
Chinese Bird-and-Flower Painted Side Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The darkly lacquered front of this 19th-century Chinese locking cabinet is the perfect canvas for a traditional bird-and-flower painting.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Materials
Elm
Chinese Painted Altar Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Made of Chinese northern elm, this altar cabinet once contained the essentials for ancestor rituals.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Painted Compound Cabinets, Late Ming Dynasty
Located in Chicago, IL
Seamlessly constructed and lacquered black, this pair of spectacular Ming-dynasty compound cabinets provided the perfect blank canvas for painted scenes of figures and horses in a ga...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Red Lacquer Cabinets with Birds in Flight, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of early 19th century red lacquer cabinets is an extraordinary find. When placed beside each other, what remains of the finely-painted decoration comes together to form a s...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Shop More furniture from PAGODA RED on 1stDibs
Petite Chinese Blue and White Double Happiness Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this petite tea leaf jar with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, the small porcelain jar has a rounded form and flat lid, a traditional shape for jars used to hold Chinese...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Jars
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Mother of Pearl Snuff Bottle, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Bone
Antique Chinese Mother of Pearl Snuff Bottle, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Puddingstone Basin Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Ideal indoors or out, this clean-lined side table is comprised of a square puddingstone top elevated by a powder-coated steel base of modern design. If flipped over, the flat stone t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Organic Modern Side Tables
Materials
Stone, Steel
Egg Form Meditation Stone Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Swirling with streaks of black against a soft grey field, this small mediation stone inspires peace, calm and contemplation. In the manner of traditional Chinese scholars' rocks (gon...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Organic Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Chinese Green Stone Calligraphy Brush
Located in Chicago, IL
Along with paper, ink and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist’...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Antique Chinese Six Treasures Round Table, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive Chinese table dates to the late 19th century and would have been at the center of every meal in the Qing-dynasty household. Crafted of purple elmwood (ziyu), the tabl...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Center Tables
Materials
Elm
