Chinese Compound Shrine Cabinet with 2 Doors

Tall shrine-like cabinet with its own tiled roof, as if the furniture bought a house.

This compound shrine cabinet with 2 doors is from Henan Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. It is elm wood. During the Cultural Revolution, from 1966 to 1976, a great deal of antique Chinese furniture was burned, confiscated or scattered, which the article says helped start the scarcity of such pieces. Upper tower has a miniature pagoda-style roof with upturned eaves, carved openwork panels and tiny shelves inside. A lower cupboard closes with two doors set with round pierced medallions. Dark, crusty finish with wear along the corners. It is 29 inches long, 24 deep and 80 high.

A cabinet that grew ambitions and a skyline.