If we didn't have "stuff" we wouldn't want chests and cupboards. Case furniture of which chests and cabinets are but a sub-set, have been around in China for hundreds of years. Some very innovative and superbly assembled cabinets were made during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Many of the styles first produced during those very early years of cabinet making are still being made now. - antique storage trunk
Early Chinese chests and cabinets were made of very fine woods, which are virtually extinct in China now. Principal among those wood kinds are Huanghuali and Zitan. Huanghuali is still grown in other parts of Asia, but the wood grain is slightly different from that used in the Ming era.
Added designs of Chinese chests and cabinets were produced during years subsequent to Ming. Some were heavily ornamented; others retained the classical simplicity of furniture that is earlier. Cupboards ranged in size to much smaller chests readily managed by one man in the huge compound cabinets.
Magnificent construction techniques by the Ming era craftsmen have been passed down even to the present day. Thus dating Chinese chests and cabinets is a very catchy science. The best gauge of age is the wear that one finds. Chinese furniture, until quite lately, hasn't had a widespread fan club . Antiques were frequently considered confined to paintings, ivory, and jade. Furniture tended to bring up the rear in the panoply of prized objects. Furniture was designed to be used, and used it's been. Evidence of wear in the finish, rot in broken parts, the legs and hinges are useful indexes old.
The "as found" state of chests and cabinets along with other furniture things for example seats, tables and beds produce a restoration predicament. Often chests and cabinets in "as found" condition have no place in today's house. Frankly, they may not be usable, and you'll find not many people who actually like to furnish their homes in the "purchase it ratty and leave it alone" school of interior design. Normally collectors--especially of ancient furniture--want their bits to resemble as much as possible, the utility and conclude that enhances not detracts from your initial design. Just how much restoration is satisfactory?
This kind of question is answerable in a person's eye of the ultimate user. If door hinges were replaced a Ming age cabinet in one of the first prized woods such as huanghuali, could be considered desirable. It could be looked at much less desirable if the entire door was replaced. Back legs could be replaced, but likely not the entire cabinet top.
What about the country furniture? What restoration is okay there? Clearly there are similar considerations as with ancient chests or cabinets. However, the state furniture has not yet been used in ideal circumstances in the view of preservation. There are really no hardwood floors in most houses in China. Frequently there isn't any central heating, and also the furniture is subjected to major climatic variations. What about restoration of country chests and cabinets? My very private solution is the fact that I always prefer preservation . How much better it's than to consign it to make a classic piece beautiful and usable once again? - antique storage trunk