PAIR OF 19TH CENTURY BLACK LACQUERED CHINESE COMPOUND CABINETS

Description

PAIR OF 19TH CENTURY BLACK LACQUERED CHINESE COMPOUND CABINETS CIRCA 1840.

FINE PAIR OF QING-DYNASTY COMPOUND CABINETS, IN THE MING STYLE.  COMPLETE IN THEIR ORIGINAL BLACKENED MATT LACQUER, WHICH HAS TAKEN ON A LOVELY CRAQUELURE AND LIGHT FADING TO THE NATURAL WOOD UNDERNEATH.

EACH CABINET COMPRISES OF 2 SECTIONS.  DOUBLE DOOR OPEN STORAGE IN THE TOP SECTION, MAIN BODY OPENS TO A DEEP BURGUNDY LACQUERED INTERIOR, WITH 2 FITTED DRAWERS AND FURTHER STORAGE.  PIERCED CARVING TO BOTTOM FRONT EDGE.

SIMPLE FULL MOON BRASS HINGES AND LOCK PLATES COMPLETE WITH ORIGINAL PINS.

THIS STYLE OF CLASSICAL CHINESE CABINET IS KNOWN AS A COMPOUND CABINET. THE TOP SECTION IS REFERRED TO AS A HAT BOX WHERE HATS AND OUT-OF-SEASON CLOTHES WERE STORED. THE MAIN CABINET WOULD HAVE BEEN A REPOSITORY FOR EVERYDAY GARMENTS WITH BEDDING PACKED INTO THE LOWER BODY OF THE CABINET. SOME OF THESE CABINETS WERE SO LARGE THAT LADDERS WERE REQUIRED TO USE THEM.

EXPECTED MINOR SURFACE MARKS AND RUBBING.  PARTIAL LATER REPLACED BACKBOARDS. VERY MINOR LOSSES TO CARVING.  INCREASINGLY RARE ITEMS TO FIND.