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拍品专文
This exotic Chinese export cabinet was in the collection of the renowned British Army officer and colonial administrator, Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener (1850-1916) at his mansion Broome Park, Kent, which he purchased in 1911 and spent five years renovating (‘Accounts and correspondence mainly concerning purchase and furnishing of Broome Park’, TNA, Kew, 30/57/100). ‘Lord Kitchener of Khartoum’ was a symbol of World War One, immortalised on the famous poster calling for volunteers, and an avid collector of works of art, in particular Chinese wares. By tradition, this cabinet was placed in a Chinese room at Broome Park, and almost certainly surrounded by oriental porcelain.
The cabinet is recorded in an early 20th century photograph and invoice in Lord Kitchener’s papers (illustrated). The bill shows that it was acquired by him for Broome Park on 2 July 1914, although payment was not settled until 8 January 1915, from the Antiques and Works of Art dealer, David L. Isaacs of New Oxford Street, London, described as follows,
‘Fine old black & gold Lacquer cabinet with shaped pediment, on stand - £100
Delivering same @ Broome Park - £2.10’
The cabinet illustrates Lord Kitchener’s enthusiasm for oriental works of art. Correspondence in Kitchener’s papers show that while posted overseas, he sustained a regular correspondence with agents in London and Peking (Beijing) regarding Chinese works of art offered for sale, which included porcelain from the Kangxi and Qianlong periods, and Tang pottery figures. His devotion to his Chinese collection at Broome Park was mentioned in Memories Discreet and Indiscreet, and ‘The Late Lord Kitchener’s Hobbies’ in Country Life (Mrs. Stuart Menzies, Memories discreet and indiscreet, New York, 1917, p. 209; n.d., TNA 30/57/100). Despite having few leisure hours and in the midst of upheaval in Europe and the Middle East, collecting works of art at Broome Park ‘made it possible for [Lord Kitchener] to carry a burden which has fallen to the lot of few to bear without breaking’ (ibid.).
The cabinet is recorded in an early 20th century photograph and invoice in Lord Kitchener’s papers (illustrated). The bill shows that it was acquired by him for Broome Park on 2 July 1914, although payment was not settled until 8 January 1915, from the Antiques and Works of Art dealer, David L. Isaacs of New Oxford Street, London, described as follows,
‘Fine old black & gold Lacquer cabinet with shaped pediment, on stand - £100
Delivering same @ Broome Park - £2.10’
The cabinet illustrates Lord Kitchener’s enthusiasm for oriental works of art. Correspondence in Kitchener’s papers show that while posted overseas, he sustained a regular correspondence with agents in London and Peking (Beijing) regarding Chinese works of art offered for sale, which included porcelain from the Kangxi and Qianlong periods, and Tang pottery figures. His devotion to his Chinese collection at Broome Park was mentioned in Memories Discreet and Indiscreet, and ‘The Late Lord Kitchener’s Hobbies’ in Country Life (Mrs. Stuart Menzies, Memories discreet and indiscreet, New York, 1917, p. 209; n.d., TNA 30/57/100). Despite having few leisure hours and in the midst of upheaval in Europe and the Middle East, collecting works of art at Broome Park ‘made it possible for [Lord Kitchener] to carry a burden which has fallen to the lot of few to bear without breaking’ (ibid.).