Date: Qing (AD 1644-1911)
Dimensions: Length 170 cm, Width 76 cm, Height 218 cm
Material: Zitan wood in imitation of bamboo, glass, cupronickel

• Object Type：
  • OTHERS
• Location：
  • Chinese Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery
• Tag：
  • cabinet bird qing zitan wood

Antique shelves were very popular in the Qing dynasty, usually in paired combination. In the later period they appeared decorated with stained glass in Western style. This work is made of rosewood in classic Western styling. It has a capping on top and a base at the bottom. There are two kinds of doors on the cabinet, opening doors and sliding doors. All the glass is imported Western-style patterned glass and the door handles are carved out of ivory. The furniture carving patterns are basically in the Oriental style with the bamboo pattern on the main body frame. There are also the Eight Immortals in relief, flowers and plants, fish and bird designs, most of which are bird designs. In the middle of the top rack, there is a circular engraved phoenix, implying the meaning of all birds paying homage to the phoenix. The phoenix is holding a scroll in its beak and its head can turn around. With the corners of the components wrapped with gilt white copper ornaments, the shelve boasts sophisticated workmanship and elaborate carving.