China - Red Lacquer Apothecary Cabinet With 45 Drawers - 19th Century.

This piece of furniture is a substantial rectangular apothecary cabinet, resting on four straight legs and composed entirely of forty-five small drawers arranged on the front in a strictly orthogonal grid. The whole forms a monumental volume, both functional and architecturally striking, characteristic of Chinese professional furniture intended for traditional medical use. The structure is made of solid wood, entirely covered with a deep red lacquer applied in successive layers. This color, emblematic of Chinese furniture, is traditionally associated with protection, prosperity, and longevity. It gives the piece a strong visual presence while ensuring lasting protection for the wood. Each drawer is fitted with a copper alloy metal fitting, including an openwork decorative plate and a movable pull ring. These elements, now patinated, display a stylized decoration consistent with the ornamental vocabulary of Chinese apothecary furniture, where the repetition of motifs accompanies a rational and methodical organization. By its typology, composition, and large number of drawers, this piece of furniture unequivocally corresponds to the apothecary cabinets used in traditional Chinese medicine, intended for the storage and classification of medicinal substances such as roots, barks, powders, seeds, and dried preparations. The regularity of the front and its substantial size suggest professional use, probably within a pharmacy, a traditional medical establishment, or a large specialized shop, rather than domestic use. The state of preservation is good. The structure is sound and stable. The lacquer shows wear, rubbing, and localized alterations consistent with age and use, contributing to an authentic antique patina. The metal fittings retain their integrity, with regular oxidation that does not weaken them. All of its stylistic, technical, and functional characteristics allow us to attribute this piece to Chinese production from the late Qing period, a time when this type of apothecary furniture was still widely used before the modernization of medical practices. Origin: China Period: Late 19th century (Late Qing) Dimensions: Height: 150 cm - Width: 125 cm - Depth: 50 cm Provenance: Belgian private collection