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Chinese Herb Cabinet

Recent Sales

Chinese Herb Medicine Cabinet
Located in Merrimack, NH
This cabinet with 30 drawers was used to hold herb medicines in a Chinese apothecary centuries ago
Category

Antique Early 1800s Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Herb Medicine Cabinet
Chinese Herb Medicine Cabinet
H 74 in W 40.9 in D 15.7 in
Antique Chinese 18 Drawer Medicine Apothecary Herb Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese 18 Drawer Apothecary Medicine Herb Chest This beautiful multi-drawer apothecary
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Chinese Elm 14 Drawer Apothecary Herb Medicine Chest Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
"20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie apothecary herb or medicine chest. Made of Elm featuring fourteen
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Soapstone

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Chinese Herb Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic Chinese herb cabinet available at 1stDibs. Each Chinese herb cabinet for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, elm and hardwood. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect Chinese herb cabinet — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available.

How Much is a Chinese Herb Cabinet?

Prices for a Chinese herb cabinet can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $2,350 and can go as high as $22,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,487.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Chinese Herb Cabinet
  • Lotus Gallery
    Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020

    A Chinese wedding cabinet is a general term to refer to any number of large armoire type cabinets with two large doors and fitted with shelves and usually a false bottom. True wedding cabinets will have auspicious paintings, such as butterflies or flowers, or even boys, covering the doors and frame.

  • Lotus Gallery
    Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020

    Yes, you can paint your Chinese cabinet, though unless it is in poor condition, doing so is usually frowned upon. You will have to sand down the surface beforehand, as most Chinese cabinets have a lacquer finish.

  • Lotus Gallery
    Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020

    Generally speaking, antique Chinese cabinets are very well made, using solid wood with joined construction. Vintage and modern Chinese cabinets will generally not be of the same high quality as antique pieces.

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