Cinnabar Book Chest

c. 1850
$3,580 USD SOLD
Dimensions
W: 34.25" D: 21.75" H: 34.0"
Materials
Northern Elmwood
Lacquer
Collection #
PR0054
Estimated Shipping
$488

Though it seems unlikely that poison ivy could yield such beauty, traditional Chinese lacquer has long since been made from the toxic sap of a closely related plant. Virtually resistant to water, acid, and heat, lacquer has been used to coat Chinese furniture since the Neolithic period. Only two agents successfully bond with lacquer, charcoal, for a rich black, and cinnabar, for this quintessential shade of red. The lacquer was applied to this 19th-century cabinet by hand, layer by layer, draping the frame in red and creating a surface deep enough to incise decoration along the bottom. Finished with handcrafted brass hinge plates and a triple dagger lock, this low cabinet would have originally been used to store traditional scrolls and texts and exudes a warmth and beauty that recalls centuries of craftsmanship.

Questions? Ask us

What They're Saying

Andrea Goldman | Andrea Goldman Design

“Over the years, I’ve incorporated many pieces from PAGODA RED into my designs. Not only can they balance new furnishings (and often new construction) by feeling more established, but the pieces emanate a sense of rich history, often leaving you wondering where they were in a previous life. These beautiful pieces carefully hand-selected by the team at PAGODA RED, coupled with their unbelievable customer service, make them a must-have for any home.”

Receive our weekly email on design &
creating memorable spaces