Elmwood Garment Rack

Crafted by an artisan in China's Shanxi province, this mid-19th century elmwood garment rack has a spare, linear design with large open areas to accommodate folded textiles. Since conventional Qing-dynasty homes did not contain any closets, homeowners relied on racks such as this one to store and display their robes and garments. The stepped design of the spandrels adds subtle ornamentation - as well as necessary stability. Showcasing the warm brown texture of northern elmwood, the rack works well as a room divider and offers an impactful way to display blankets or towels.