How do I care for a lacquered and gilt cabinet?

Keep the piece away from direct sunlight and dramatic temperature fluctuations to protect the delicate lacquer and gold leaf. Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth without applying modern chemical polishes. Ensure the room maintains a stable humidity level to prevent the timber beneath the lacquer from expanding or contracting. Professional conservation advice should be sought if the surface develops cracks.

Are porcelain plates considered cabinets?

Plates categorised here are usually cabinet plates intended for display on plate stands or walls rather than dining use. They share the decorative gilt borders and hand-painted motifs found on larger furniture. These ceramic pieces complement wooden cabinets by featuring matching artistic styles, such as fruit painting or Chinoiserie motifs, produced by the same period factories.

How can I identify the period of a Chinoiserie cabinet?

Examine the timber construction, hardware fixings, and the style of the lacquer work to determine the manufacturing era. 18th-century and 19th-century pieces often display hand-cut joinery and aged patination on the gold leaf. Revival periods, such as the Edwardian Chinoiserie revival, exhibit machine-prepared timbers combined with hand-applied decorative finishes designed to mimic earlier Asian imports.