an important pair of monumental huanghuali compound cabinets Qing Dynasty, 17th century

each cabinet of massive rectangular form and beautiful graining, the hat chest with two square hinged floating panel doors flanking a central stile set flush above the large cabinet, the latter with rectangular hinged doors similarly fitted, one cabinet with two shelves, the upper shelf enclosing two drawers, the other cabinet fitted with two parallel metal bars for hangers, its shelves and drawers later moved to the matching hat chest, the horizontal panel above a plain apron and short spandrels, joining small square feet, mounted with huangtong hinges and barbed foliate-form lockplates with pins (4)

Of huanghuali and other woods, one cabinet with broken and repaired small section of left front foot. Both with numerous small gaps in joins of panels. One hat chest with a loose panel on left side leaving a gap in the top and front edge, the same hat chest with small patches on front doors at the join of panels. All four sections require polishing and potentially strengthening of joinery.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Large compound cabinets with hat chests are quite rare and were usually used by wealthy Chinese families during the Qing period to store winter clothing. Compare two pairs formerly in the collection of the Museum of Classical Furniture, one in huanghuali illustrated in Wang Shixiang and Curtis Evarts, Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Furniture, Chicago, 1995, no. 63, later sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 1996, lot 30; and another made of camphor, illustrated in Robert Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture, New York, 1970, no. 131. A single huanghuali cabinet from the collection of Robert & Alice Piccus, is illustrated by Evarts, "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Piccus Collection", Journal of the Chinese Classical Furniture Society, Autumn, 1992, p. 24, fig. 29, later sold at Christie's New York, 18th September 1997, lot 56.

Examples with plain aprons such as the present example can be found in Ecke, op.cit., pl. 125, and in the collection of Mimi and Raymond Hung, illustrated in Robert Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture: One Hundred from the Mimi and Raymond Hung Collection, vol.1, New York, 1996, no. 73. However, most of these appear to be much smaller than the present pair, and it is extremely rare to find monumental versions, which are more typically found using huanghuali veneer or in lacquered soft wood. Compare a pair of magnificent lacquered cabinets of late Ming proportions, with gilded landscapes and Wanli reign marks, sold in these rooms, 22nd September 2005, lot 359; and another pair also sold in these rooms, 21st September 2006, lot 34.