Chinese Cabinets

Without closets, the Chinese developed many different kinds of cabinets in order to store away clothing, tableware, pottery, and other decorative objects that were not currently being used. The cabinets were usually made of wood, and often decorated with brass details, various kinds of inlays for decoration. Cabinets were also often traditionally lacquered in red or black, and created in many different sizes to accommodate for any type of object.

There are two main large Chinese cabinets: square-cornered, or round-cornered. With many flat surfaces, the square-cornered cabinets lend themselves to more elaborate decorations. The overhangs of these types of cabinets are very boxy as opposed to the tapered edges of the round-cornered cabinets. While the square-cornered cabinet doors need to be mounted on hinges, round-cornered cabinet doors fit right into the frame of the cabinet.

Cabinets of smaller sizes, various kinds of shelving, and different storage spaces also exist for concealing smaller household items such as medicine, food, plates, bowls, teapots, and other everyday things.

Quick Facts

• Most Chinese cabinets are easily disassembled for easy moving
• Cabinets often contained secret compartments for hiding valuables
• Drawers were not commonly used, mostly because they were not as easy to lock and secure