Page 84 - Fine Chinese Works of Art Bonhams Hong Kong May 2018

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A VERY RARE PAIR OF IMPERIAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID
RED AND GILT-GREEN LACQUER CABINETS
Mid Qing Dynasty
Each cabinet comprising eight variously proportioned and positioned
open compartments, all framed within red lacquer friezes superbly
embellished with mother-of-pearl inlays with an elaborate decoration
of lotus flowerheads amidst dense foliage, the interior coated with dark
green lacquer, meticulously enriched in gilt with lotus blossoms borne
on meandering foliate scrolls, all raised on four legs linked by a lower frieze.
Each 167.5cm (66in) high x 71cm (28in) wide x 32cm (12 1/2in) deep. (2).
HK$1,500,000 - 2,500,000
US$190,000 - 320,000
清中期 御製彩漆描金嵌螺鈿花卉紋多寶格一對

A near identical double-pair of mother-of-pearl-inlaid red and green The technique and materials meticulously used in the present pair of
lacquer cabinets, mid Qing dynasty, from the Qing Court Collection, cabinets is the culmination of furniture development from the Ming
are in the Chuxiugong ‘Hall of Gathered Elegance’ in the Forbidden dynasty to the mid Qing dynasty. This is evident in the meticulous
City. Each cabinet is placed jointly side by side with another to make a and skillful use of the mother-of-pearl inlay on lacquer, which can be
pair, and each pair is placed in a different part of the Imperial hall. The seen throughout the Ming dynasty and was very popular during the
present lot of one such pair of cabinets, almost certainly would have Kangxi period; and in the gilt decoration on lacquer which can be
formed part of the same suite display cabinets; see Classics of the seen mostly from the early Qing period and became more prevalent
Forbidden City: Inlaid Furniture, Beijing, 2013, pl.24 (showing one such from the Yongzheng period. However, the present pair of cabinets
pair of cabinets); and Ming Qing Gongting Jia Zhu Da Guan, vol.II, are remarkable in bringing all these complex decorative elements
Beijing, 2006, pp.696-697, pls.798-1 and 798-4 (showing the double together. They also stand out in the very rare and subtle use of green
pairs of cabinets in the Chuxiugong). lacquer in the interior, vividly contrasting the gold with the green, and
then again the contrasting the lustrous mother-of-pearl with the red
Openwork display cabinets, known as duobaoge or ‘curio cabinet of lacquer. The ability to accomplish such complex decorative design and
many treasures’ developed and reached the height of popularity during subtle contrasts in colours and materials demonstrates the exceptional
the 18th century gracing the Imperial halls. The carefully designed craftsmanship and masterful creativity which was required in standing
asymmetrical and irregular compartments are characteristic of the with the exacting Imperial standards of workmanship.
duobaoge developed in the early Qing period. Such cabinets would
have been used to display precious objects including ceramics, jades The Chuxiugong is one of six western halls in the inner section of the
carvings, cloisonné enamel and archaic and later bronzes, as can be Forbidden City. It was first built in 1420 and renamed as Chuxiugong
seen in the near identical double-pair of cabinets to the present lot in in 1535. In 1852 the Empress Dowager Cixi lived in it and gave birth
the Chuxiugong. in this hall to the Tongzhi emperor in 1856. In 1884 the Dowager
Empress returned to the hall on her fiftieth birthday for which occasion
it was elaborately renovated at the expense of 630 liang silver.

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