Small Butterfly Cabinet, Black Lacquer d100 Smaller ones like this were

Smaller ones like this were also known as 'Scholar's Cabinets' as they were often used to store the books

where they would be placed on the 'kang' - a heated platform of brick or earth that formed the main living area

The originals would include only shelves as the Chinese would fold their clothes when being stored

natural colour of the wood to contrast with the outside

made up of individually cut pieces of wood that fit together with mortise and tenon joints

Small Butterfly Cabinet, Black Lacquer d100 Smaller ones like this wereFinished here in black lacquer, these pretty little bedside cabinets are decorated with gold leaf and painted by hand. The colourful butterflies on the doors are framed on the outside with flowers in gold, red and green. The butterfly is a symbol of happiness in a marriage for the Chinese and as such is often seen on painted Chinese cabinets and chests that were made to be given as part of a wedding settlement. These ones are beautifully made with