Quatre panneaux en zitan sculpté formant cabinet Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795) ou antérieur

les panneaux extérieurs à décor de deux dragons à cinq griffes à la poursuite de la perle enflammée dans des nuages stylisés volant au-dessus de rochers émergeant de flots tumultueux, agrémentés sur l'un de pivoines entourées du noeud sans fin et de la carpe, sur l'autre d'iris accompagnées du parasol et du dais, les deux panneaux centraux à décor de deux couples de dragons dont deux représentés de face poursuivant la perle sacrée dans les nuages stylisés au-dessus de rochers et vagues où poussent des chrysanthèmes accompagnées du vase sacré, d'un lotus Ming à droite et d'un lotus Qing à gauche, les charnières en bronze doré ciselé de dragons dans des nuages stylisés, la ferrure centrale rectangulaire à décor de caractères shou, dragons, nuages et flots tumultueux, d'où pendent deux petites plaques agrémentées de chauves-souris, la partie basse entièrement sculptée de nuages stylisés ; le montage postérieur, longue fente sur le panneau intérieur droit

The two each end doors were originally fixed panels, converted into opening doors sometime during the first half of the 20th century (the originals tenons were ground and mortise holes filled in at the top and the bottom). The hinges have been modified so that the side panels can swivel. Two partitions have been added inside the cabinet to create three separate compartments fitted with shelves. All the cabinet is in Zitan except the plank beneath the top inside which is huanghuali. The two chests that were originally above the cabinet are missing. The cabinet is also likely to have been reduced in height (by comparision to other known similar furniture), and there probably must have been a carved apron originally in front in between the front feet. The cabinet has also been reduced in depth (It is now 56,5 cm but was possible around 75cm deep originally). There are a few chips and vertical age craks to the carved design of the front panels. From right to left: Right panel: two vertical age cracks. A chip to one claw of the upper dragon front left paw. There is also a chip to the lower dragon whiskers (3cm section missing on each side) and a couple of small chips to his left eyebrow. A chip to one claw of his rear left paw. A small repair to one cloud on the edge. Middle right panel: Vertical age crack as visible on the photo. A few chips: to one cloud above the top dragon, to the middle claw of the top dragon's upper right paw. The two whiskers extensions are chipped and missing, as well as a section of wood to the right of his face that bears some wax repair. The right side of the lower dragon's whisker is also chipped and missing, as well as the extremities of the flames by his lower body. Middle left panel: Vertical age cracks as visible on the photo. Two 1cm sections of the main dragon right whisker are chipped, another chip to the lower right edge of his whisker and to the tip end of one fang. The left side of the lower dragon's whisker is missing, and there are chips to the tip end of a couple of claws of his front right paw. A couple of nicks to the flowers at the bottom. Left panel: Vertical age cracks as visible on the photo. Part of the right whisker of the upper dragon's is missing on approx. 3cm. There is an approx 10 x 1 cm chip to the upper rear left corner. Another small chip to the tip of the front right corner and another 5 cm chip to the rear right corner. Some age crackles and chipping on the side edges.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present cabinet is notable for its richly carved zitan panels of dragons rising from tumultuous waves against a dense cloud ground. The exceptional high relief and complex composition of the panels are comparable with that seen on an exquisite throne, also carved from zitan and suggesting that they may have been carved by the same hand. Further example of large screens carved with similar scenes include a rectangular pair sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th September 1989, lot 1577; and two shaped pairs sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8^th April 2007, lots 871 and 872. See a large zitan cabinet, similarly decorated with dragon and cloud designs, pictured in situ in the bedroom behind the Yangxin dian (Hall of Mental Cultivation), illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 249.

 

The large panels of this cabinet are carved from the most precious and highly esteemed timber available to the master craftsmen working in the Muzuo (Wood Workshop) belonging to the Zaobanchu (Imperial Palace Workshop). With its jade-like silky texture, extremely fine and dense grain and subtle yet deep lustre, zitan was the favoured timber of the Ming and Qing courts. It was particularly valuable for its long growth period combined with its limited supply, and cultivated mainly in the southern regions such as Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. By the Qing dynasty, excessive felling of zitan led to its exhaustion in China and large quantities had to be imported from islands in the South Pacific. During Kangxi's reign demand for zitan was so great that even young trees were cut, thus leading to the complete extinction of the species. By Qianlong's reign, special measures were taken by the Court to protect any existing stores of zitan, which were kept in the warehouses of the Imperial Workshop. The Archives of the Imperial Workshop at Yangxin Hall (Yangxin dian zaoban chu ge zuocheng huoji qing dang) confirm that the use of zitan was scrupulously monitored and restricted to the Palace Workshops. Furthermore, Qianlong gave special instructions to ensure the most economical and responsible use of the palace's zitan supply to avoid any waste.