A pair of lacquer cabinets with inlaid decoration 

Kangxi Period 1662-1722

A pair of lacquer cabinets, extensively inlaid with mother of pearl, various woods, cinnabar lacquer, agate, amethyst and glass, with additional decoration in gold lacquer.

Each cabinet raised on a plinth and fitted with two hinged doors enclosing four drawers, arranged beneath an open storage compartment. A hinged upper lid opens to release the doors and provides access to the compartment above. The cabinets retain their original elaborate paktong lockplates, hinges and fittings.

The doors decorated with figures of boys at play, carrying various objects, beneath panels depicting dragons amongst clouds. Further conforming dragons decorate the plinths. The side panels are inlaid with flowering branches and butterflies, while the top surfaces depict different auspicious scenes. One shows two deer beneath a pine tree with a monkey amongst its branches, and the other a pair of cranes beside a peach tree and ornamental rocks.

The decoration is framed throughout by finely worked lacque burgauté borders incorporating iridescent shell inlay and gold detailing. The interior drawers are similarly decorated with flowering branches, blossoms and insects, continuing the elaborate inlaid decoration of the exterior.

The variety of inlay and the exceptional quality of the carving, indicate that these would have been intended for Qing Society elite or a sophisticated wealthy European, in tune with Chinese tastes.