Description
A Chinese “Yàn jīng” (Beijing) style, finely carved cinnabar lacquer stationary chest. Chests like this were once used to hold scholarly objects, books or paper and letters. A detailed swastika diaper blankets the top, sides and back, with a key fret pattern on the outer edges of the front frame. Three identical sized drawers on the inside – the drawer faces as well as the faces of the stand on the bottom in a similarly finely carved diaper of repeating concentric triangles. The interior of the cabinet, drawers and underside a dull black. Oxidized brass drawer pulls, handles and mounts on each side of the best. The fully detachable inset door on the front depicts a narrative scene of scholars in an idylic landscape framed in a shaped cartouche, ringed with scrolling grass and flowers.
This chest is a product of Beijing craftsmen, evidenced not only by its particular palace influenced style of workmanship but also by numerus examples of almost identical chests held in Beijing museum collections. There are also many similar pieces auctioned in China and identified as fine examples of Yàn jīng carved lacquer. Yàn jīng (燕京) is an old name for Beijing as it was once the capital of the state of Yan during the Zhou dynasty. Yàn jīng carved lacquer was once known as one of the “Eight Wonders of Yanjing” which refer to eight ancient imperial court crafts. These crafts were cloisonné, jade carving, ivory carving, carved cinnabar lacquer, gold inlaid lacquer, filigree inlay, embroidery, and palace carpets. The common element here being that each of these class of items were intricately crafted of expensive materials and exquisitely made.
In generally good condition although some evidence of repairs. The front detachable door may have be relacquered at some point in history.
Late 18th to early 19th century
Acquired from a Japanese private collection
Size is: 42 x 25 x 27
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