Red Painted Gansu Sideboard rugs each with a simple ring

each with a simple ring handle

large cabinets or armoires like this were presented as part of a bride's wedding dowry

the cabinet needs a large space to house it

With a frame made from fir wood

making a series of coils to form the rigid shape

Red Painted Gansu Sideboard rugs each with a simple ringGansu, circa 1920 This lovely sideboard in a rich, red lacquer still features the original finish and paintings, once in vibrant gold leaf but now largely worn down to the darker base beneath. The paintings show various robed figures standing or seated at tables going about their daily routine. The cabinet is from Gansu province in western China, with an extended top surface over carved spandrels that taper down to the feet. Originally only the centre