Wanli style Medicine Cabinet
Wanli style Medicine Cabinet
19th Century, Shanxi Province, Northern China
Wood, Lacquer, and Paper. Metal and Coin Fittings
Beloved medicine cabinets like this were a statement of prestige and elegance in ancient China. Each drawer showcases the coveted traditional Chinese medicine it used to hold, written in ink on rice paper. The warm scent of past medical herbs and spices still perfume the compartments inside. Ancient coin embellishments on the surface forms a bold sense of grandeur. These coins were precious because of their inherent value; their presence on each drawer truly highlighted the immense wealth of the medicine cabinet's owner.
The Wanli Style refers to the upper alcove meant to display the family's prized collectables; it is a design rarely found with medicine cabinets, increasing the uniqueness of this piece.
Dimensions
Width: 90.5 cm /35.5 inches
Depth: 56 cm / 22 inches
Height: 182 cm / 71.75 inches