With two removable shelves inside, our modern day light elm version is a great size to hold a stereo unit, or even in a bathroom for toiletries. The style of cabinet is referred to as 'round cornered' due to the rounded frames, and was seen throughout China but particularly in furniture from Shandong province on the north east coast. The design of this Chinese cabinet, with the doors mounted on wooden dowels that fit directly into the frames and a slightly tapered profile, is one of the most ingenious designs to have been perfected during the Ming dynasty. The overall effect is one of balance and fluidity, the simple style allowing the cabinet to look perfectly at home in any setting. Smaller ones like this were also known as 'Scholar's Cabinets' as they were often used to store the books, papers or writing implements of the scholarly classes.
