Bugundy Lacquer Sideboard From Hebei - 19th Century

This antique Chinese sideboard from Hebei is made in the Ming style. This simple design originated during the Ming dynasty which ended in 1644. This style of Chinese sideboard is often referred to as an altar cabinet in The West and a lien-erh (two in a row) by Chinese dealers referring to the drawer form. The upturned ends are for ensuring scrolls do not roll off the cabinet. 

Sideboards of this shape were used as storage and as altar cabinets for burning incense, family ancestor worship with an ancestor scroll above. This beautiful piece is constructed from northern elm wood (榆木 yumu) finished with a crisp original burgundy lacquer. 
The fittings are made from brass and are mostly circular in form, but occasionally rectangular. 

References:
A similar example can be found in "Chinese Household Furniture" by George N. Kates (Fig. 23).

From China

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