Chinese furniture is notable for its cabinetry - including chests, boxes, shelves and cabinets of all kinds, from magnificent red lacquer to simple storage boxes with lovely grain.

We all need storage, places to put things, and Chinese wooden cabinets and chests are not only functional but beautiful and artistic as well. Some are simplicity itself, adding Oriental accent to a room, others are smashingly opulent centerpieces.

There are cabinets of all kinds and sizes, chests, trunks, sideboards and shelves with drawers. A collector's favorite is the antique set of numerous drawers for herbs from a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. Another is the cabinet with big bold brass fittings to house that large vulgar television set.

When buying, remember that these pieces were used by people who didn't have walk-in closets and built-in organizers. They folded and stacked their clothes, quilts and books shelves. This could make it difficult to locate them in the piles.

Cabinets were designed for different purposes, especially during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Wanli cabinet

This display cabinet, actually a shelf-cabinet piece, was popular during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty. Porcelain, bronze, and many other art objects were displayed on the open shelves.

Some wealthy families ordered Wanli cabinets as high as three or four meters, designed for rooms of noble proportion.

Medicine cabinet

This cabinet contains many small draws for herbal medicine or the herbs used to compound medicine. The wood is worn smooth with use and may retain the odor of herbs.

Today some are used to store CDs, under garments, odds and ends.

Red lacquer cabinet

The classic large red lacquer cabinet typically has two ornate doors and a large, often circular brass disk and lock. It could be used for storing valuables.