Two small cabinets in worn red lacquer stand side by side, their double doors painted with gilt decoration that has softened with age. This pair of antique Chinese elm cabinets has flared sides, weathered gray tops and the chipped, rubbed lacquer that only comes from generations of use. Red lacquered cabinets like these belong to a long Chinese tradition of storage pieces painted for the home.

At  27 inches tall, each cabinet works as a bedside table, and together they flank a bed, a sofa or an entry. The red lacquer gives a room a strong accent against plain walls.

• Era: Early 20th century
• Origin: China
• Material: Elm, red lacquer, gilt paint
• Size: Each"(W) x 16"(D) x 27"(H), sold as a pair
• Color: Red lacquer with gilt decoration, weathered gray tops
• Condition: Wear consistent with age and use, part of its character and historical value. Lacquer wear and paint losses throughout.

This pair of antique Chinese elm cabinets dates to the early 20th century. Each cabinet has double doors in red lacquer with gilt painted decoration and measures 16 inches square by 27 inches tall. They work as a pair of bedside tables or side cabinets.

Q: Why is elm used in antique Chinese furniture?
A: Elm is a hard, dense wood common in northern Chinese furniture, strong enough for daily use and a stable base for layers of lacquer. That is why so many lacquered elm cabinets survive with their original construction intact.

Q: How do you style a pair of red lacquer cabinets?
A: Let the red be the one strong accent: keep walls and textiles neutral, flank a bed or sofa with the pair, and top each with a simple lamp. Each cabinet also works on its own as a nightstand or entry table.

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**Please bear in mind that colors of products shown may vary slightly from their original color due to monitor display settings or photography studio