Chinese cabinets
Traditional Chinese cabinets hold together with wood joints instead of nails.
Three forms to recognize
Round-corner cabinet
Rounded top edges and sides that lean inward. The doors turn on wooden pins with no hinges, and tend to swing shut by themselves.
Compound wardrobe
A tall cabinet with a second box on top, usually made in pairs. That makes four parts, so Chinese also calls it the four-piece cabinet.
Apothecary chest
Rows of small labeled drawers, made for herb shops. Today it keeps spices, tea or desk clutter.
A good joint outlives the hands that cut it.
Rosewoods such as huanghuali are CITES-listed, so crossing a border may need paperwork. Antique pieces with ivory or tortoiseshell are restricted. Solid furniture ships by freight.
Good to know
Why do Chinese cabinets have no nails?
Traditional makers used mortise and tenon joints, with a little glue where needed. Wood moves with the seasons, and these joints allow for it. Many modern pieces add more glue or screws.
What is a Chinese wedding cabinet?
It is a cabinet made for a marriage, often as dowry, traditionally lacquered red with metal fittings. Red stands for joy. Northern provinces such as Shanxi are known for them.
How do you care for a Chinese wood cabinet?
Keep humidity steady and stay away from heating vents, since dry American winters can crack solid wood. Dust with a soft cloth and use paste wax, not silicone spray.
