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

Refinement and Form

This exceptionally rare and visually arresting pair of lacquer cabinets exemplifies the refinement and artistry of Chinese lacquerwork at the turn of the 18th century. Each cabinet is of upright rectangular form with a subtly waisted apron and hoof feet, its proportions balanced and elegant. Crafted from hardwood and finished with a rich cinnabar-red ground, the surfaces are adorned with intricately rendered decoration combining incised linework with polychrome and gilt embellishment.

Painterly Decoration and Symbolism

The front panels and sides are naturalistically decorated with lush sprays of flowering peach branches, curling leaves, and boldly coloured parrots perched amidst the foliage. These motifs—painstakingly outlined with a pointed stylus and then filled with vivid pigments and touches of gold—are emblematic of auspicious themes in Chinese decorative art: peaches symbolise longevity and immortality, while parrots represent eloquence and refinement. The painterly surface treatment, enhanced with cinnabar red, warm browns, moss greens, and touches of soft gilding, achieves both depth and vitality.

All-Encompassing Design and Original Fittings

The decoration extends to the top and sides of each cabinet, testifying to the all-encompassing luxury of the design. The original brass hardware—including the ruyi-shaped lockplates, strap hinges, and loop hasps—survives in remarkable condition, adding lustrous highlights and affirming the high status of the commission.

A Rare and Refined Interior

Opening the double doors reveals a rare and highly refined interior configuration, indicating the cabinets’ dual function as both practical storage and decorative objects. Each contains an upper compartment with a single shelf, and below this, a pair of central interior doors painted in vivid red and green lacquer with stylised archaistic dragons—motifs drawn from ancient bronzes and associated with imperial power and cosmic order. These miniature doors enclose further shelving. Beneath this are two small drawers, their fronts delicately decorated with floral sprays and fitted with small brass pulls.

Functionality and Private Connoisseurship

This complex internal arrangement not only enhances the functionality of the piece but also underscores the layered symbolism and aesthetic richness prized in elite Chinese interiors. Such interior embellishment—normally hidden from view—signals a connoisseurial attention to detail and suggests use in a private, scholarly, or upper-gentry setting, where such intricacies would be appreciated.

Rarity and Historical Significance

While red lacquer furniture from the Kangxi period does survive, this particular pair stands out not only for its rare matched form and scale, but also for the lyrical quality of its surface decoration and the sophistication of its interior design. It is a superb and rare survival of high Qing craftsmanship, striking a balance between artistic flourish and refined domestic utility.