(早清雕雙龍櫸木方角書櫃)This rare and beautiful Ju wood scholar's “Square-Cornered” cabinet (方角櫃) has exceptional dragon carvings in the medallion shape on the two doors. The dragons are shaped like clouds in a “continuing” design and are very well executed. It also has its original and very beautiful six-sided hand-forged and very thick old brass plates in a Ruyi (如意; to-your-wish) cut-out design. This beautiful and exceptional 18th century book cabinet showcases very well the beautiful Ju wood grain.
Ju wood is southern Chinese elm with a much more density and tighter grain than that of northern Chinese elm and is considered the number one wood outside of the broader Hong-Mu hardwood family. Older Ju wood furniture pieces from Ming and early Qing with a good Ming style and workmanship are hard to come by.