A Rare Pair of Late 17th - Early 18th Century, Chinese Red Lacquer Cabinets with Polychrome Decoration

Chinese: Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period  (1662-1722) / Yongzheng Period ( 1723-1735)

Refinement and Form

This rare pair of lacquer cabinets exemplifies the refinement and artistry of Chinese lacquer work at the turn of the 18th century. Each cabinet is intricately decorated with incised linework enriched with polychrome pigments and gilding. They survive in fine condition throughout, retaining their original brass fittings, including ruyi-shaped lockplates, strap hinges, and loop hasps.

Painterly Decoration and Symbolism

The doors are adorned with sprays of flowering peach branches and brightly coloured parrots perched amidst the foliage. Outlined and filled with pigments and touches of gold, these motifs carry auspicious meanings in Chinese culture: peaches symbolise longevity and immortality, while parrots suggest eloquence and refinement.

A Rare and Refined Interior

Opening the double doors reveals an unusually sophisticated interior arrangement, underscoring the cabinets’ dual function as practical storage and decorative showpieces. Each contains an upper compartment with a single shelf, and beneath, a pair of smaller interior doors painted with red and green dragons—emblems of imperial power.

 Rarity and Historical Significance

Dating from the late 17th to early 18th century, these Kangxi-period cabinets are distinguished by their superb quality of construction and decoration. Their survival as a pair further enhances their rarity, while their preserved condition and original fittings mark them as exceptional examples of Qing lacquer furniture.