Antique mahogany display cabinet

The late 17th century passion for collecting Chinese porcelain and the later European porcelain, (a passion that has not abated), led to the design of various forms of cabinets for displaying the collection. There are various forms, and collectors can find pieces in the Sheraton, Queen Anne and Rococo revival manner dating from the Edwardian and later Victorian periods. Glazed china cabinets or bookcases were frequently made in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco style. The half-round lead lighted china cabinets popular in the 1920s and 1930s, are not all as common as they used to be. Collectors should be careful of 'china cabinets' that have made up by a conversion from a bookcase, armoire or wardrobe.