Butterfly Style Storage Chest with 2 Drawers and Original Patina
This elegant small Chinse coffer, called a butterfly cabinet, features a floating panel top sitting above two carved drawers, each and fitted with brass hardware. Beneath the drawers is a a richly carved floating panel, which hides interior storage. Our eyes are immediately drawn to the carved floral spandrels that decorate the sides and give the piece its distinctive profile. With its refined surface design and dark patina, this late Qing Dynasty style 19th century side chest will be a great focal point in any room. The piece dates to the "Late Qing" but has a much older design. Note the lighter color at the bottom of each leg -this is highly corelated with age and indicates that the piece sat for a long time on a damp tile floor. Over time, the original dark lacquer finish fell off.