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ID #SA1204484
FOR SALE
£950
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Pair of Chinese Apothecary Chest
For sale by Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
for sale €1,112     $1,207
£950
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 589 items
  • About Us
    A family run business , second generation of antique dealers est 1977 with 3 warehouses over 6000 sq ft
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Id #SA1204484
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Pair of Chinese Apothecary Chest

1900 - 1920
Description

A wonderfully decorative pair of early 20th-century Chinese apothecary chests, each retaining its full grid of small drawers with original circular hand-painted labels and metal ring pulls. The deep, time-worn lacquered finish has developed a rich reddish-brown patina, and every drawer carries its own calligraphic label. They are in excellent antique condition, with only the light, honest imperfections expected from age and use. Traditionally used for storing herbs and medicinal ingredients, these cabinets now make exceptionally charming and practical bedside tables — or striking accent pieces anywhere that would benefit from a touch of Eastern craftsmanship. These will bring an immediate sense of history to any interior.

Physical Dimensions
Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
61cm (24.02")
Depth
41cm (16.14")
Declaration

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors has dated this Chinese Apothecary Chest Pair to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1204484
Dealers Internal Reference
SAI4127
Dealers Notes

All measurements are done to the widest point .

Please feel free to contact me with any enquiry or for more pictures .

Delivery :

We can arrange to deliver any where in the world just let us know your destination and we will get a quote for you .

Here at Sinclair's Antiques and Interiors we do our utmost best to ensure all our items are described and photographed to show any flaws or damage such as shrinkage splits, losses or lifts to veneer, repairs or marks. However giving the age and the fact that each piece will have had years of polishing to create its own individual character we cannot describe every minor mark separately and therefore recommend you either visit our warehouse or request extra photographs.

We offer a 7 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with any of your items purchased from us however cannot refund the return shipping cost.

If you are not sure please do not purchase without contacting us.

Description
A wonderfully decorative pair of early 20th-century Chinese apothecary chests, each retaining its full grid of small drawers with original circular hand-painted labels and metal ring pulls.
“
The deep, time-worn lacquered finish has developed a rich reddish-brown patina, and every drawer carries its own calligraphic label.
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

They are in excellent antique condition, with only the light, honest imperfections expected from age and use. Traditionally used for storing herbs and medicinal ingredients, these cabinets now make exceptionally charming and practical bedside tables — or striking accent pieces anywhere that would benefit from a touch of Eastern craftsmanship. These will bring an immediate sense of history to any interior.

Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
61cm (24.02")
Depth
41cm (16.14")
Date of Manufacture

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors has dated this Chinese Apothecary Chest Pair to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1204484
Dealers Internal Ref
SAI4127
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

A family run business , second generation of antique dealers est 1977 with 3 warehouses over 6000 sq ft

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors Profile Page

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A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls.
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Archive I A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls.

Pair of Chinese Apothecary Chest

Archive II A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View II
Archive III A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View III
Archive IV A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View IV
Archive V A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View V
Archive VI A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View VI
Archive VII A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View IX
Archive X A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View X
Archive XI A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View XI
Archive XII A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View XIV
Archive XV A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Telephone 07977 119 787
Location
91 Main Street
Thornton
Fife
KY1 4AQ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sinclairs
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 589
Items Sold 2,486
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: 91 Main Street, Thornton, Fife , KY1 4AQ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sinclairs
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
589
Sold
2,486
A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls.
Pair of Chinese Apothecary Chest
Ref: SA1204484
A pair of dark reddish-brown lacquered Chinese apothecary chests featuring multiple small drawers decorated with circular gold panels and Chinese calligraphy with metal ring pulls.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectApothecary Chests
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleChinese Provincial
  • MaterialLacquered Timber, Iron
  • ColourDark Reddish Brown
  • MotifsCalligraphy labels, Multiple small drawers, Metal ring pulls, Lacquered finish
  • SizeH 83 cm (33 in) x W 61 cm (24 in) x D 41 cm (16 in)

This pair of 1920 Chinese provincial apothecary chests is constructed from lacquered timber with iron hardware. Each cabinet exhibits a dark reddish-brown lacquered finish displaying a rich, time-worn patina with light imperfections from age and use. The storage configuration consists of a grid of small drawers, each decorated with a circular hand-painted gold panel, Chinese calligraphy labels, and a central metal ring pull. The structure has plain upright stiles standing on simple straight feet with scalloped aprons beneath the bottom drawer row, and a flat top with a moulded edge. Each chest measures 83 cm high, 61 cm wide, and 41 cm deep. These cabinets serve as practical bedside tables or striking accent pieces in a gentleman's library, bedroom, or living space, adding an immediate sense of history and Eastern style to an interior. They provide ample compartmentalised storage through their numerous small drawers while offering a decorative surface on top for lamps, books, or ornaments. Their versatile proportions allow them to sit neatly beside a bed or function as standalone statement furniture in hallway settings or studies.

FAQs

Historically known as a baizigui, or cabinet of a hundred drawers, a Chinese apothecary chest was traditionally used by herbalists to store dried roots, herbs, and traditional remedies. Each small drawer is typically labeled with Chinese calligraphy to identify the specific medicinal contents.

These cabinets are constructed from native Asian hardwoods such as elm, pine, or camphor wood, assembled using traditional mortise and tenon joinery without metal nails. Surfaces are frequently coated with natural lacquer, hand-painted calligraphy labels, and fitted with iron or brass ring pulls.

Authentic pieces feature surface wear around the ring pulls, hand-cut mortise and tenon joinery, natural lacquer craquelure, and ink calligraphy applied directly onto the wood or gilded panels. Structural variations in drawer sizing and internal herbal residue also indicate historic use.

A pair of apothecary chests functions effectively as bedside tables or side cabinets within modern living spaces. The dark lacquered timber and detailed calligraphy introduce historical texture and contrast to contemporary or eclectic room layouts.

Lacquered wooden furniture should be kept away from direct sunlight and dry heat sources to prevent timber shrinkage and lacquer cracking. Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth and avoid chemical sprays or water saturation.
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