Staining rosewood dark

I have a Chinese medicine chest of drawers in, I believe, rosewood which I’d like to stain a dark brown. (It’s currently a reddish, orangey brown). It may have a seal on it as it’s pretty shiny. There are raised Cinese characters on each of the 24 square fronted drawers. Am a novice and welcome all advice.

 

iff there's lacquer on it...... u may need a pro
raised ....anything.... gonna be a problem....
vintage Chinese..? go black..... not dark brown...

We need photos please......

 

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Yes photos!!

 

Welcome to forum Eating.By the way,couldn't agree with you more-eating people is wrong.
Good to hear somebody take a stand these days.

 

Let's hope Climate Change doesn't get that bad !

 

Good point re black. Here are a couple of photos. Took me a while to find a way to reduce the file size. Thank you for standing with me on the Eating People thing. We need to get it out there.

 

Oh, it' has a nice look already......

 

Not rosewood. Some kind of pine. Does seem to have a lacquer or varnish on it. To stain it properly, you will need to strip it first. There are ways to tint varnish or you can buy pre-tinted polys that will darken with additional coats. However, it is difficult to get a consistent look and it may not take it dark enough.

 

I love the colour. It looks like my Chinese elm wardrobe, although it could be stained to look like elm.

This is not the type of cabinet that would be lacquered black. It should be this honey colour, brown or rosewood colour. But frankly, I wouldn't mess with it.

 

I said black before seeing it...

 

Very nice chest. Called an apothecary or herb cabinet. I agree with A.J I wouldn't do anything to it.
Mikey

 

Okay thanks for all your thoughts and wise advice. Really appreciate it. I will leave as is and just have to find somewhere to put it where it doesn’t clash with everything else.

 

.... or sell it and find one you like better.