Accession Number2001/1.345
TitleTwo Door Cabinet
Artist(s)ChineseArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Dateearly 20th centuryMedium & Supportblond rosewood (huali) with brass handlesDimensions 55 in. x 30 1/2 in. x 17 1/4 in. ( 139.7 cm x 77.5 cm x 43.8 cm )
Credit LineGift of Marybelle B. HannaSubject matter"The classic, tall, tapered, round-cornered cabinet encapsulates the essence of Ming style furniture. Its exposed framework, simple floating panels, minimal hardware, inward taper, and pronounced verticality create an impression of serene calm and balance. The legs [...] contribute a sense of lightness to a rather large volumetric form. As traditional Chinese homes did not have closets, cabinets and chests were necessary for the storage of clothing in bedroom settings.
Refined and elegant, the form relies on rounded corner stiles that splay slightly outward from the top, creating a feeling of balance and stability. The corner door rails have extended dowels top and bottom that fit into sockets in the upper and lower frame allowing the doors to pivot. This simple and ingenious device frees the body of surface-mounted metal hinges, contributing to the cabinet's clean lines and vertical emphasis."
Jacobsen, Robert D, Bruce B Dayton, Ruth Dayton, and Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Appreciating China: Gifts From Ruth And Bruce Dayton. Minneapolis, Minn.: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2002, p. 300.
Physical DescriptionA two door wooden floor cabinet with brass handles.
Primary Object Classification Wood and Woodcarving Primary Object TypefurnitureAdditional Object Classification(s)Furniture and Furniture AccessoriesCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
doors
furniture
handles