Literature: Bijutsu Senshu Dai Hachi Kan, Cho Shitsu (Carved Lacquer), 1974, Fuji Art Publications, Japan, no. 68.

Note: Compare with an 18th century stationery chest of similar dimensions carved with confronted dragons in the National Palace Museum Collection, Taipei included in the exhibition Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors, Treasured Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2007, illustrated in the Catalogue, p. 147, no. 153. The handle and fittings are identical to those found on the present cabinet and the use of a wide plain diaper border around the central panel also compares very closely.

Although depictions of precious objects and antiques are not often seen as a primary motif on carved lacquer, they are found on a carved polychrome lacquer kang cabinet in the Palace Museum Collection, Beijing illustrated in Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, pp. 94-95, no. 65. Compare also a lobed box and cover decorated around the sides with similar arrangements of precious objects seen on the present cabinet, illustrated ibid., pp. 60-61, no. 40.

Christie's. The Imperial Sale, Hong Kong, 1 June 2011