Width 105 cm (41 5/16") Depth 42.7 cm (16 13/16") Height 154.7 cm (60 7/8")
Square corner cabinet is a classic type of cabinet from the late Ming to early Qing period and they were made in pairs. There are various single examples in published collections but pairs are very rare, presumably because they were dislocated due to the modern history of China.
Surviving examples of square corner cabinets are constructed either with recessed door and side panels and rectangular metal plates and hinges or four-sides flushed with round metalware like compound cabinets. Those that are not compound cabinets but are four-sides flushed with round plates or hinges like the present pair are rare examples.
Cabinets, whether they are wood-hinged cabinets or square corner cabinets, usually have an interior which comprises a central section with drawers and an additional shelf. These cabinets with many shelves are very unusual in surviving examples and were probably custom made for storage of special items like paintings scrolls.
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