Lot 365. A pair of gilt-decorated black lacquer cabinets, Jiaqing-Daoguang period (1796-1850); Each 143cm (56 2/8in) high x 97cm (38 1/8in) wide x 41cm (16 1/8in) deep. Sold for £ 24,000 (€ 28,595) (Est: £20,000 - £30,000). © Bonhams 2001-2021

Each of upright rectangular shape, set with a pair of doors fitted with a large canted rectangular lockplate and four side hinges, the doors opening to reveal two shelves and two short drawers, above a small apron and short rectangular feet, each cabinet painted in gilt lacquer on a black ground, each door with two panels depicting a group of luohan gazing at the riverside scene dotted with pine trees and flowering shrubs, beneath a shaped cartouche depicting a writhing five clawed-dragon chasing the flaming pearl reserved on a square diaper ground, the borders with further cartouches depicting sinuous chilong, the sides with floral scenes.

Note: The present lot is unusual both in its technique of gilt-lacquering and also the Buddhist motif of luohans. The slightly raised gold technique, was inspired a Japanese technique known as takamaki-e; see for example, a black and gilt lacquer casket with this raised technique, Japan 1630s, illustrated in Encounters: The Meeting of Asia and Europe 1500-1800, London, 2004, p.238. This 'foreign style' technique became popular during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor, who especially appreciated and collected Japanese-style gold and silvered lacquer (maki-e), renowned for its use of extensive amounts of gold. The gold-lacquer style continued into the Qing dynasty. See for example, a handled case with gold-painted landscape in the same raised technique, in imitation of a Japanese case, mid Qing dynasty, from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 2006, p.192, no.144.

The Buddhist motif of luohans also implies that these cabinets were not made for export, but catered for Chinese taste. The motif of luohans was particularly popular at the Imperial Court, where the Qianlong Emperor had a zitan and lacquer screen with sixteen panels with luohans; see N.Berliner, The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, New Haven and London, 2010, pp.165-172

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art: Including Imperial and Court Textiles Curated by Linda Wrigglesworth, London, 2 november 2021