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Circa: Mid-Qing (Late 18th – Early 19th Century)
Wood: Longyan
Region: Fujian
Dimensions: 21.5w x 29.25h x 10.5d
Condition: Very good

Comments: These cabinet’s are like a window to the past. They reveal how climatic conditions combined with economic needs of the 16 & 17th centuries resulted in longyan wood furniture coming, almost exclusively, from Fujian. A fruit bearing tree, “dragon’s eye” is the fruit’s descriptive name, the reddish-brown heavy and very hard durable wood has a high luster due to its fine texture and high density. The wood’s characteristic wavy stripes are discernable to the hand as well as the eye with this pair of cabinets.

Scholar’s placed these small cabinets on desktops or big tables to store treasured objects such a brushes, inks, and paper. In one way, they are the harbinger to the file cabinet - but with much more charm and allure. One senses they playfully interact with each other when we are not present. Their presence is truly joyful.

Virtue: Light Hearted