Chinese Elmwood Kitchen Cabinet with Carved Panels - Early 20th Century
 
Exquisite Chinese kitchen cabinet crafted from elmwood (榆木, yú mù), dating from the early 20th century. This distinctive piece combines functional storage with decorative elements typical of Chinese domestic furniture. The cabinet features:
Solid elmwood construction, identifiable by its characteristic honey-golden tone, straight grain patterns, and natural warmth
Traditional two-section design with upper storage cabinets and lower ventilated compartments
Four upper cabinet doors with beautifully carved decorative panels
Deeper, reddish-brown carved panels featuring scenes of scholars or immortals in garden settings
Delicate floral and botanical relief carvings on the upper and lower door panels
Three functional drawers with original brass pulls for utensil storage
Ventilated lower section with lattice doors featuring geometric key-pattern (回紋, hui wen) designs
Vertical slat openings for air circulation, characteristic of traditional Chinese kitchen furniture
Original brass hardware including door hinges and decorative lock plates
Straight, simple legs elevating the cabinet for practical kitchen use
 
This cabinet exemplifies traditional Chinese kitchen furniture design, with the ventilated lower section specifically created to store root vegetables, fruits, or dried goods that required air circulation in the era before refrigeration. The decorative carved panels elevate what was primarily a utilitarian piece into an object of beauty.
 
Elmwood was widely used throughout China for furniture making, prized for its durability, resistance to splitting, and beautiful natural color that deepens with age. This piece shows the characteristic golden-honey tones that distinguish elm from other Chinese hardwoods like huanghuali or zitan.
 
The carved panels depicting figures in garden settings reflect traditional Chinese artistic themes celebrating scholarly pursuits and mythological narratives. The combination of these refined decorative elements with practical kitchen storage demonstrates how everyday objects in Chinese households often merged utility with aesthetic beauty.
 
An authentic piece of Chinese domestic history that offers both functional storage and cultural significance for today's interiors.
 
Dimensions:
Width : 97cm
Length: 50cm
Height: 166cm