08/14/03

Relish in these beautifully worn 18th- and 19th-century Chinese chairs, cabinets and tables.

by Contributor

The Scene
An ivy-colored porch and wood shingles set this building apart from neighboring storefronts. Once inside, the faint mustiness of antique wood and overall quietude make it feel a bit like a museum. You're on your own if you have questions--the unknowing staff appear to be merely store babysitters.

The Goods
These pieces, which are made primarily from walnut or a Chinese elmwood called yumu, show off vivid shades of brown and black. Cabinets in a rich red-brown exhibit beautiful geometric carvings and shiny Paktong brass alloy hardware. A wide, cylindrical brush pot made of wood from the Zitan tree (now extinct), is a beautiful, blackish violet. Because of the soft nature of yumu, many of the pieces show some mild wear, but the roughness adds to their character rather than detracting from the overall condition.