**A PAIR OF MOTHER-OF-PEARL, HARDSTONE AND GLASS-INLAID HUANGHUALI AND SOFTWOOD SQUARE-CORNER CABINETS AND HAT CHESTS

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

THE PROPERTY OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART*

**A PAIR OF MOTHER-OF-PEARL, HARDSTONE AND GLASS-INLAID HUANGHUALI AND SOFTWOOD SQUARE-CORNER CABINETS AND HAT CHESTS

18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details

**A PAIR OF MOTHER-OF-PEARL, HARDSTONE AND GLASS-INLAID HUANGHUALI AND SOFTWOOD SQUARE-CORNER CABINETS AND HAT CHESTS
18TH/19TH CENTURY
The cabinets of square-section with frames constructed from huanghuali and with inset softwood panels, the doors inlaid with hardstone, mother-of-pearl and glass with groups of scholars and their attendants beneath trees in a landscape, the lower sections decorated with archaistic vessels on a small kang table amidst wispy clouds, floral sprays and scholar's rocks, the sides inlaid with a design of birds perched amidst flowering branches, the hat chests with further lily and other flowering branches issuing from rockwork, supported on legs of rectangular section, with circular brass lockplates and ruy-form hinges
59 in. (149.9 cm.) high, 28 in. (71.1 cm.) wide, 15 in. (38.1 cm.) deep, wood stands (2)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

The decoration on the present lot appears to be related to earlier lacquer cabinets with a similar type of inlay, which includes hardstone, mother-of-pearl and colored glass, such as those illustrated by Lee Yu-kuan, Oriental Lacquer Art, Tokyo, 1972, p. 316, pl. 242 (dated Ming dynasty, 16th century); M. Beurdeley, Chinese Furniture, Tokyo, New York and San Francisco, 1979, p. 119, pl. 161 (dated Kangxi, late 17th century); and C. Clunas, Chinese Furniture, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1988, p. 93, pl. 82 (dated 1650-1700), where the author notes, p. 94, that this technique of inlay is known as Zhou zhi ('Zhou work'), and appears to have been developed in the late 16th century.

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