Page 152 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 Hong Kong
P. 152
The Property of an Important Asian Collector Compare a lacquer cabinet also decorated with the four dragon motif
in the Qing court collection, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in
341 Laquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty. The Complete Collection of Treasures
A fine red lacquer ‘dragon’ cabinet of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, p.72, no.48. See also another
18th century comparable lacquer cabinet but carved with precious objects also in
Of rectangular upright form on a four-legged stand with side skirting, the Qing Court collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated
the front with two double doors in different sizes and a sliding drawer, in Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty. The Complete Collection of
the doors crisply carved in relief with four ferocious dragons coiling Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, pp.94-95, no.65.
above raging waves and chasing a flaming pearl, each with prominent There are two other comparable lacquer cabinets in the National
features of a pair of horns, hairy mane and jaws opened to reveal Palace Museum, Taipei, one also decorated with the four dragons
sharpened teeth, and four muscular five-clawed talons issuing from motif, illustrated in Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colours. Treasured
a scaly body, the central double doors opening to reveal two smaller Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2007, p.160,
drawers, all framed within keyfret and wan borders on the trefoil diaper no.172-173. See also a similar red lacquer cabinet but decorated with
ground, secured in place with gilt-incised hinges, handles and flip-locks, figures in landscape design in the Muwen Tang collection, exhibited in
the base and the rear lacquered black. the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, between 25 September
51.3cm high. (4). 2010 - 2 January 2011, illustrated in The Grandeur of Chinese Art
HK$200,000 - 300,000 Treasures: Min Chiu Society Golden Jubilee Exhibition, Hong Kong, 2010,
US$26,000 - 39,000 p.489, no.336.
十八世紀 剔紅海水龍紋小櫃
The relatively small size of this cabinet suggests is would have probably
been placed on a kang bed. As the furniture was used for sleeping
during the night, it is presumed that the miniature cabinet was placed
above the kang bed for daily use during day time. The lavish design of
dragons on the four doors would suggest that the cabinet was made for
Imperial use.
150 | Bonhams
