Chinese Wardrobe with 2 Doors

Tall, tapered, black, and scarred, like a wardrobe that lost an argument with the weather.

This wardrobe with 2 doors is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the 18th century. It is lacquered elm wood. Collectors generally weigh aesthetics, age, condition, design, origin and provenance when judging antique furniture, though the article argues that scarcity ends up with the greatest influence on value. Two tall doors with raised moulded frames sit in a body that narrows toward the top. The black finish has worn through to reddish brown in long vertical streaks. Short cutout feet and a slim projecting top complete the profile. It is 51.5 inches long, 21.5 deep and 77 high.

Gravity-defying slope, dignified scars, no apologies.