Page 63 - Fine Asian Works of Art December 19, 2016, SF
P. 63
8074
PROPERTY FROM THE MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART,
SOLD TO BENEFIT THE MUSEUM FUNDS
8073 8074
A FAMILLE ROSE ENAMELED METAL VASE AND COVER A PAIR OF RARE CINNABAR LACQUER CABINETS
Guangzhou school, Qianlong period 19th century
Of square section, the undulating walls painted in vivid enamels on Each cabinet with two doors divided by a central post, each door
a white ground with beauties and children alternating with birds, delicately carved with a scene of scholars admiring a landscape of
flowering branches and garden rocks framed by black and gilt-painted pines and mountains within a geometric frame and key-fret borders,
scrolls on a pale green ground; the edging on the foot, shoulder and above a drawer carved each carved with a scene of a traveling scholar
cylindrical neck worked shades of rose, blue and other colors of the and his attendant within a lobed cartouche flanked by lotus meander
famille rose palette also used on the associated cover of similar date. above an apron similarly carved with lotus scroll, the sides and top
7 1/2in (19cm) height overall of each cabinet similarly carved with geometric floral ground and
raised key-fret edges and each cabinet opening to reveal two drawers
US$2,500 - 4,000 also lacquered and incised with geometric design, the interiors and
removable backs lacquered black.
Provenance 17 1/2in x 14 1/8 x 6 1/2in (47 x 36 x 16.5cm), each cabinet
The Chinese Porcelain Company, New York, by repute
US$15,000 - 25,000
Provenance
The Monterey Museum of Art
Small and finely carved cabinets such as the present lot would have
been placed upon a kang for storage of small, treasured pieces from a
collection. The scholarly scenes would have facilitated relaxation and
retreat from daily cares, and enhanced the enjoyment of viewing the
treasures kept inside.
Although often produced in pairs, it is less common for a pair of such
cabinets to survive so long. However a single cabinet carved with
scholarly scenes sold at Sotheby's New York, 20 March 2012, sale
N08834, lot 191, and another single cabinet carved with dragons
sold at Christie's New York, 19-20 September 2013, sale 2726, lot
1637. A slightly larger pair of two-door cabinets carved with scholar's
objects is illustrated in The Complete Collection or Treasures of the
Palace Museum: Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong,
2006, no. 65, and a single four-door cabinet dated to the 18th century
is illustrated in Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors: Treasured
Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2013, no. 172.
FINE ASIAN WORKS OF ART AND PAINTINGS | 61
