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Lot 198

A PAIR OF HARDWOOD 'DRAGON' CABINETS AND STANDS
Late Qing Dynasty/Republic Period

15 May 2025, 11:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £11,520 inc. premium

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A PAIR OF HARDWOOD 'DRAGON' CABINETS AND STANDS

Late Qing Dynasty/Republic Period
Each stepped upper section fitted with two drawers above two panelled doors enclosing a plain interior above a third long drawer, each panel carved with dragons chasing 'flaming pearls' amongst clouds, within borders inlaid in silver wire with foliate scrolls and key-fret, the bases with pierced aprons and flared feet. Each 60.3cm (23 3/4in) high x 38.1cm (15in) wide. (4).

Footnotes

晚清/民國 紫檀雲龍紋小櫃一對

Provenance: Sotheby's London, 13 May 1988, lot 371

來源: 倫敦蘇富比,1988年5月13日,拍品編號371

This pair of cabinets is finely carved with intricate designs of dragons pursuing flaming pearls. The current lot represents a rare example of small cabinets, designed for storing seals, scholar's stationery, books, or objects of curiosity. Such cabinets were indispensable furnishings on a scholar's desk, reflecting both functionality and refined aesthetic sensibilities. See a related cinnabar lacquer cabinet of similar shape, mid-Qing dynasty, in the Qing Court Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Place Museum: Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2006, p.68, pl.45.

See a related zitan dragon cabinet, 19th century, which was sold at Christie's Paris, 10 December 2014, lot 190.

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