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Lot Essay
This striking commode demonstrates how 18th and 19th century Chinese makers could skillfully adapt Oriental techniques to Western forms that would greatly appeal to the European market. Oriental lacquer has been prized in the West as far back as the 16th century when Portuguese exports of Japanese Momoyama-period lacquerware introduced this exotic luxury good whose success proved a viable market for subsequent Chinese and European imitators. Eastern lacquer, which enjoyed enormous popularity with its glistening, gilt highlighted surfaces, was made from the resin of the rhus vernicifera and inspired Western imitators. This attempt to mimic lacquer by European cabinet-makers was commonly known as 'japanning', and it became an equally fashionable alternative to the scarce Eastern wares.
Lacquered furniture for European export was primarily made in Nanking, Tonking and Canton. It followed Western forms which were either copied from actual examples sent to China or from printed European designs. These centers reached a high point of production and popularity with the Western trade in the early-19th century. While smaller export pieces such as sewing tables, tripod tables, dressing mirrors and tea caddies abound, larger pieces of furniture, such as this commode, are far rarer for the inherent difficulties and expense of construction and shipping; they commanded extraordinary attention for their exotic and esoteric decorative appeal. Many larger pieces were actually specific commissions and were emblazoned with the initials or insignia of the patron.
The form and decoration of this commode indicate it was most likely made for the Danish market. An important trade existed between Denmark and the Far East, beginning with the establishment of the Danish East India Company in 1616 by King Christian IV. King Christian VI subsequently revived this lucrative trade, establishing in 1732 the Royal Danish Asiatic Company. A number of pieces of Chinese lacquer furniture were brought back by the captains of the Asiatic Company in the 1730's and sold to King Christian VI, including a pair of lacquer bureau cabinets, originally supplied to the Royal Palace in Copenhagen in 1738 and now in Fredensborg Castle (see T. Clemmenson, 'Some Furniture Made in China in the English Style, Exported from Canton to Denmark 1735, 1737 and 1738', Furniture History, 1985, pp. 174-177).
The closest related example is a bureau cabinet made for the Danish market which has a similar base, sold anonymously at Christie's, New York, 24 November 2009, lot 84 ($182,500).
Lacquered furniture for European export was primarily made in Nanking, Tonking and Canton. It followed Western forms which were either copied from actual examples sent to China or from printed European designs. These centers reached a high point of production and popularity with the Western trade in the early-19th century. While smaller export pieces such as sewing tables, tripod tables, dressing mirrors and tea caddies abound, larger pieces of furniture, such as this commode, are far rarer for the inherent difficulties and expense of construction and shipping; they commanded extraordinary attention for their exotic and esoteric decorative appeal. Many larger pieces were actually specific commissions and were emblazoned with the initials or insignia of the patron.
The form and decoration of this commode indicate it was most likely made for the Danish market. An important trade existed between Denmark and the Far East, beginning with the establishment of the Danish East India Company in 1616 by King Christian IV. King Christian VI subsequently revived this lucrative trade, establishing in 1732 the Royal Danish Asiatic Company. A number of pieces of Chinese lacquer furniture were brought back by the captains of the Asiatic Company in the 1730's and sold to King Christian VI, including a pair of lacquer bureau cabinets, originally supplied to the Royal Palace in Copenhagen in 1738 and now in Fredensborg Castle (see T. Clemmenson, 'Some Furniture Made in China in the English Style, Exported from Canton to Denmark 1735, 1737 and 1738', Furniture History, 1985, pp. 174-177).
The closest related example is a bureau cabinet made for the Danish market which has a similar base, sold anonymously at Christie's, New York, 24 November 2009, lot 84 ($182,500).