china closet

or china cabinet

noun

1. a cabinet or cupboard for storing or exhibiting chinaware.

Word History and Origins

Origin of china closet¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

“To her, the world was not a china closet where you admire this and don’t touch that,” McBride wrote of Chona in the novel.

From Seattle Times

“Come and take a walk, my dear?” cried Polly, hopping toward the china closet, with a look suggestive of a lump of sugar.

From Literature

Trump "is like a bull in a china closet," Johnson said, but his chaotic nature gives him the power to "expose darkness and perversion in America like never before."

From Salon

He’d swing her up and place her on the top of a bookcase or china closet, and then go back and sit down.

From Literature

Intoxicated by the uncontained torrent of relief, Aureliano Segundo broke the glass on the china closet and piece by piece, without hurrying, he took out the chinaware and shattered it on the floor.

From Literature