A painted and gilt-decorated red lacquer compound cabinet, Ming Dynasty, 17th century - Sothebys

of rectangular form, comprising a tall cabinet and a separate hat chest, each with doors opening from removable centre stiles, painted against a red ground with birds and flowers in a rocky landscape, all enclosed by meandering floral scrolls, the sides and shaped apron similarly decorated, the interior lacquered black and set with two shelves, fitted with metal hinges, plates and pulls. Quantité: 2; 218.4 by 110 by 47cm., 86 by 43 1/4  by 18 1/2 in. Estimation: 40,000 - 60,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: Sammy Y. Lee & Wangs Co., Hong Kong, 1973.
Collection of Arthur M. Sackler.

LITTERATURE: Lee Yu-kuan, Oriental Lacquer Art, New York, 1972, pl. 247.

NOTE: The present cabinet, called dingxiangligui in Chinese, is described by Lee Yu-kuan in Oriental Lacquer Art, New York and Tokyo, 1972, p. 322, as ‘used by high officials for storing the clothing and accessories required for their appearances before the emperor or their superiors. Hats and other headgear were kept in the top section, while the main part of the cabinet contained court costumes and various accessories, including the important chaohu.’ Apart from the fine craftsmanship by the lacquer artist, this cabinet is also remarkable for retaining its original lockplate and mounts.

Large lacquer cabinets of the late Ming and early Qing periods, painted in this ornate style with the much favoured theme of birds and flowers in gilt are rare although a very similar cabinet, perhaps the pair to the present piece, is illustrated in Michel Beurdeley, Chinese Furniture, Tokyo, New York and San Francisco, 1979, p. 129, pl. 175. See another fine lacquer cabinet of different proportions and shelf layout finely painted with a very similar scene of flowering branches and birds in vivid tones on a brown ground, sold in our New York rooms, 11/12th April 1990, lot 671.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 15 mai 2013 www.sothebys.com