Antique Chinese 20 Drawer Apothecary Cabinet. Original Price: $2,500

Design Plus Gallery presents an Antique Chinese 20 Drawer Apothecary Cabinet. Evocative of centuries-old herbalist shops, this 20-drawer Chinese apothecary cabinet (also called an herb chest or medicine cabinet) is purpose-built for the careful sorting of roots, barks, and dried botanicals used in traditional Chinese medicine. A compact grid of small drawers offers generous, highly organized storage; traces of hand-brushed Chinese calligraphy remain on several fronts, hinting at the original contents and lending authentic character. Expertly constructed with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, the cabinet’s frame wears a deep, dark finish that contrasts beautifully with the yellow, intentionally distressed drawer faces. Layers of lacquer and paint have softened and worn in all the right places, revealing warm wood tones beneath and creating a richly textured patina. Each drawer is fitted with its original metal ring pull, set on simple backplates for a restrained, utilitarian elegance. Condition is consistent with age and use: expect naturally rubbed edges, small lacquer losses, and minor surface irregularities that speak to the cabinet’s working life while leaving it sturdy, stable, and fully functional. Equally at home as a statement hallway console, a dining-room server, or a studio organizer, this apothecary chest blends seamlessly with wabi-sabi, farmhouse, and eclectic interiors—bringing with it the quiet poetry of time and craft. In good condition, original sourced from the San Francisco Design Center.