Bookcases

A scholar’s study in northern China, scrolls waiting behind lattice doors. Antique bookcases are open and glazed cabinets built to hold scrolls, books and objects. Chinese examples in elm and pine have shelves framed by plain posts or lattice doors, and some double as medicine cabinets with drawers below; Tibetan versions are painted with Buddhist motifs.

Filled with books, ceramics and small bronzes, an old bookcase becomes a library wall in itself; its worn lacquer and grain set off pale bindings and stone. A wall, in other words, that has read everything.