Are Chinese cabinets good quality?

Generally speaking, antique Chinese cabinets are very well made, using solid wood with joined construction. Vintage and modern Chinese cabinets will generally not be of the same high quality as antique pieces.

How can I tell if my Chinese furniture is antique?

To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.

Can I paint my Chinese cabinet?

Yes, you can paint your Chinese cabinet, though unless it is in poor condition, doing so is usually frowned upon. You will have to sand down the surface beforehand, as most Chinese cabinets have a lacquer finish.

What is a Chinese wedding cabinet?

A Chinese wedding cabinet is a general term to refer to any number of large armoire type cabinets with two large doors and fitted with shelves and usually a false bottom. True wedding cabinets will have auspicious paintings, such as butterflies or flowers, or even boys, covering the doors and frame.

How do you identify antique Chinese furniture?

To identify antique Chinese furniture, look carefully at its details. Chinese craftsmen often built furniture using mortise and tenon joinery, eliminating the need for nails and screws. If you see this type of hardware, your piece is likely not at least 100 years old, especially if the hardware still looks new and shiny. Since antique furniture was handmade, you will normally see slight imperfections, such as tool marks or slight variations in carvings. Pieces that appear completely uniform and pristine are less often genuine antiques.When present, maker's marks can also be helpful. Research the marks to learn more about when the maker was active and producing pieces like yours. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer evaluate your furniture for you.Shop an assortment of antique Chinese furniture.

How to know if my Chinese porcelain is antique?

The best way to know is to take it to an expert, such as an appraiser, reputable dealer or auction house, or museum

How do I know if I have an antique china cabinet?

For an item to be considered antique, it needs to be 100 years or older. It can be tricky to determine the age of a cabinet on your own. The best way to determine the value and age of your china cabinet is to work with a certified appraiser. You’ll find expertly vetted antique china cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.

How much is an antique china cabinet worth?

How much an antique china cabinet is worth depends on the style of the cabinet, age and condition. Any additional features/decorative touches might increase the worth of the cabinet. That is, a cabinet with hand painting or carving will cost more in general. Also, the older the cabinet, the more its value. An antique china cabinet can be purchased for $1500 onwards. Find a collection of antique china cabinets today on 1stDibs.

How much is an antique record player cabinet worth?

How much an antique record player cabinet is worth depends on a variety of factors. The age, materials, maker and condition all impact value. If the record player remains inside the cabinet, and whether or not it is operational will also affect the price you can expect to receive for it. Having the cabinet evaluated by a certified appraiser is a simple way to find out how much your piece is worth. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of record players.

How can I tell if an apothecary cabinet is a genuine antique rather than a reproduction?

Look at the listing's noted origin, period and materials; hand-cut dovetail joinery and hand-lettered drawer labels are common signs of age.

Antique Chinese Cabinets

Qing Dynasty Cabinet

China Cupboard

China Bookcase

19th Century Mahogany China Cabinet

19th Century Chinese Carved Doors

China Cabinet Mahogany And Glass

$6,999

$2,360Sale Price|20% Off

Antique RJ Horner School Mahogany Swell Front China Cabinet, Geo. Flint, C1910

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique RJ Horner School Mahogany Swell Front China Cabinet with Carved Foliate, Stylized Paw F...

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

French Rococo Carved Walnut Hand Painted Louis XV Style Blind China Cabinet Bar

$5,800

French Rococo Carved Walnut Hand Painted Louis XV Style Blind China Cabinet Bar

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique French Rococo Carved Walnut Hand Painted Louis XV Style Blind China Cabinet Bar. Item features tall shapely carved cabriole legs with hand painted Neoclassical scenes to door...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Rococo Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Antique Oak Victorian Renaissance Glass Door Carved Curio Corner China Cabinet

$3,200

Antique Oak Victorian Renaissance Glass Door Carved Curio Corner China Cabinet

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Oak Victorian Renaissance Glass Door Carved Curio Corner China Cabinet. Item features carved Northwind face fretwork pediment, 2 glass swing doors, working lock and key for u...

Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Materials

Oak

Pair of late 18th Century red lacquer Chinese cabinets

Unavailable

H 73 in W 53 in D 24 in

Pair of late 18th Century red lacquer Chinese cabinets

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

pair of late 18th Century red lacquer Chinese cabinets with original Chinoiserie in gilt decoration.

Category

18th Century and Earlier Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Brass

China Cabinet

Unavailable

H 76.5 in W 43 in D 19 in

China Cabinet

By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley

Located in New Haven, CT

Extremely fine French mahogany biblioteque with exquisite ormolu mounts, by A. Beurdeley, Paris. The Beurdeley family were a flourishing dynasty of three generations of fine quality ...

Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Edwardian Sheraton China Cabinet Bookcase

Unavailable

H 70 in W 36 in D 18 in

Antique Edwardian Sheraton China Cabinet Bookcase

Located in Potters Bar, Herts

Stunning antique Edwardian china cabinet or bookase in the Sheraton manner.

Materials

Fir

ROCKFORD Antique Carved Walnut French Gothic China Cabinet

Unavailable

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 85.5 in W 42.5 in D 24.5 in

Pair of 19th C. Decorated Red Lacquered Chinese Cabinets

Located in New York, NY

Fine Pair of 19th Century Red Lacquered Chinese Two Door Cabinets with Chinoiserie Decoration.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Cabinets

Countryside Three-Drawer Chinese Cabinet

Unavailable

H 35 in W 17 in D 39.4 in

Countryside Three-Drawer Chinese Cabinet

Located in Merrimack, NH

A simple countryside cabinet with its original paint and natural textured wood. It has round smooth posts around doors, drawers, and frame. Three drawers and two doors open to a main...

Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Antique Edwardian Display China Cabinet Mahogany Satinwood Chest

Unavailable

H 43 in W 31 in D 17 in

Antique Edwardian Display China Cabinet Mahogany Satinwood Chest

Located in Potters Bar, Herts

Absolutely stunning Edwardian antique display cabinet Handcrafted from mahogany with satinwood crossbanding We date this exceptional piece to circa 1910 Originally designed for d...

Stunning Scarlet Chinoiserie Queen Anne Style Cabinet

Unavailable

H 93 in W 53 in D 15 in

Stunning Scarlet Chinoiserie Queen Anne Style Cabinet

Located in Santa Rosa, CA

Unusual Stunning Queen Anne Style Chinoiserie decorated China Cabinet or display cabinet vitrine with eglomise rooster panels

Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Cabinets

Antique French Gothic Renaissance Buffet Cabinet Hutch

Unavailable

H 104 in W 60 in D 22.75 in

Antique French Gothic Renaissance Buffet Cabinet Hutch

Located in Newberry, SC

A large Renaissance-style Buffet Server China Cabinet Hutch from France dating to 1900 in oak with beautiful carved flourishes and upper doors in a Gothic motif

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Superb Edwardian Mahogany and Inlaid Display Cabinet

Unavailable

H 47.638 in W 69.291 in D 18.11 in

Superb Edwardian Mahogany and Inlaid Display Cabinet

By Maple & Co.

Located in Whaley Bridge, GB

This antique china cabinet / vitrine retains its original finish which has been revived and waxed, all in home ready condition. c1900 H47.5"-max W69" D18" D16.5" Shelves: H10.5" H10 ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Jacobean Revival Oak Display Cabinet

Unavailable

H 66 in W 54.5 in D 18 in

Jacobean Revival Oak Display Cabinet

Located in New York, NY

Dark oak curio or China cabinet in the Jacobean Revival style comprised of a felt-lined glass case with two doors and two glass shelves resting on a base of four barley twist legs co...

Category

Early 20th Century American Jacobean Antique Chinese Cabinets

Antique Chinese Two-Drawer Cabinet

Unavailable

H 20 in W 46 in D 16.5 in

Antique Chinese Two-Drawer Cabinet

Located in New York, NY

A nicely proportioned 19th century Chinese cabinet, beautifully finished with a warm patina and perfectly suited to be a coffee table or a low entryway piece.

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Arts & Crafts Mission Bookcase Oak Cabinet by Gustav Stickley circa 1903

Unavailable

$6,874Sale Price|20% Off

H 88.59 in W 72.84 in D 30.71 in

19th Century Oakwood Cabinet

Located in Casteren, NL

19th century oakwood cabinet Originates Germany, dating circa 1820.

Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Oak

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Wonderful Italian Sofa Attributed to Gio Ponti and Completely Re-Upholstered

$7,447

H 27.96 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in

Wonderful Italian Sofa Attributed to Gio Ponti and Completely Re-Upholstered

By Gio Ponti

Located in Munich, DE

Amazing lines resting on two legs in front and two castors at the back for easy moving. Belts, foam and velvet completely redone.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Velvet

English Cast Iron Umbrella / Cane Stand. Circa 1840

$8,500

H 31.75 in W 39 in D 16 in

English Cast Iron Umbrella / Cane Stand. Circa 1840

Located in Charleston, SC

English cast iron umbrella / cane stand with three section top, scrolled floral side mounts, four removable pans, and terminating on decorative cast egg and dart base.

Category

19th Century British Antique Chinese Cabinets

$1,900

H 57.5 in W 42 in D 2 in

Single Louis XVI Style Painted Headboard

Located in Sheffield, MA

Louis XVI style headboard for a single or twin bed. Great style -- hand painted with gold "gilt" painted accents. A wonderful addition for a guest room or single room. Search terms:...

Category

Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Wood

French Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted & Marquetry Gueridon Side Table, Linke attr

$12,450Sale Price|34% Off

$123,550 / set

$38,438 / set

H 26.97 in W 31.89 in D 17.92 in

Unusual Victorian Five-Light Cut-Glass Wall-Lights Attributed to F&C Osler, Pair

By F. & C. Osler

Located in Steyning, West sussex

An unusual pair of mid-Victorian five-light cut-glass silver mounted wall-lights (original for gas) the silvered glass covered back plates supporting five half hoop thumb cut candle ...

Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Silver Plate

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Antique Chinese Cabinets For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of antique Chinese cabinets available for sale. Each of these unique antique Chinese cabinets was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, hardwood and elm. There are all kinds of antique Chinese cabinets available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian, Louis XV and Georgian antique Chinese cabinets are consistently popular styles. Many antique Chinese cabinets are appealing in their simplicity, but R.J. Horner & Co., Brendan Bass and François Linke produced popular antique Chinese cabinets that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Chinese Cabinets?

Prices for antique Chinese cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, antique Chinese cabinets begin at $40 and can go as high as $476,388, while the average can fetch as much as $4,140.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Antique Chinese Cabinets

Are Chinese cabinets good quality?
1 Answer
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
Generally speaking, antique Chinese cabinets are very well made, using solid wood with joined construction. Vintage and modern Chinese cabinets will generally not be of the same high quality as antique pieces.
How can I tell if my Chinese furniture is antique?
1 Answer
PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020
To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.
Can I paint my Chinese cabinet?
1 Answer
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
Yes, you can paint your Chinese cabinet, though unless it is in poor condition, doing so is usually frowned upon. You will have to sand down the surface beforehand, as most Chinese cabinets have a lacquer finish.
What is a Chinese wedding cabinet?
1 Answer
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
A Chinese wedding cabinet is a general term to refer to any number of large armoire type cabinets with two large doors and fitted with shelves and usually a false bottom. True wedding cabinets will have auspicious paintings, such as butterflies or flowers, or even boys, covering the doors and frame.
How do you identify antique Chinese furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify antique Chinese furniture, look carefully at its details. Chinese craftsmen often built furniture using mortise and tenon joinery, eliminating the need for nails and screws. If you see this type of hardware, your piece is likely not at least 100 years old, especially if the hardware still looks new and shiny. Since antique furniture was handmade, you will normally see slight imperfections, such as tool marks or slight variations in carvings. Pieces that appear completely uniform and pristine are less often genuine antiques.

When present, maker's marks can also be helpful. Research the marks to learn more about when the maker was active and producing pieces like yours. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer evaluate your furniture for you.

Shop an assortment of antique Chinese furniture.
How to know if my Chinese porcelain is antique?
1 Answer
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
The best way to know is to take it to an expert, such as an appraiser, reputable dealer or auction house, or museum
How do I know if I have an antique china cabinet?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
For an item to be considered antique, it needs to be 100 years or older. It can be tricky to determine the age of a cabinet on your own. The best way to determine the value and age of your china cabinet is to work with a certified appraiser. You’ll find expertly vetted antique china cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
How much is an antique china cabinet worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
How much an antique china cabinet is worth depends on the style of the cabinet, age and condition. Any additional features/decorative touches might increase the worth of the cabinet. That is, a cabinet with hand painting or carving will cost more in general. Also, the older the cabinet, the more its value. An antique china cabinet can be purchased for $1500 onwards. Find a collection of antique china cabinets today on 1stDibs.
How much is an antique record player cabinet worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
How much an antique record player cabinet is worth depends on a variety of factors. The age, materials, maker and condition all impact value. If the record player remains inside the cabinet, and whether or not it is operational will also affect the price you can expect to receive for it. Having the cabinet evaluated by a certified appraiser is a simple way to find out how much your piece is worth. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of record players.
How can I tell if an apothecary cabinet is a genuine antique rather than a reproduction?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Look at the listing's noted origin, period and materials; hand-cut dovetail joinery and hand-lettered drawer labels are common signs of age.

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