A fine Chinese Export parcel-gilt black lacquer bureau bookcase cabinet circa 1735

the upper section with a domed top fitted with three pineapple form finials above a pair of arched doors opening to eight pigeonholes above a central pair of arched prospect doors flanked by folio slides and a bank of four drawers above eight pigeonholes above three small drawers and two long drawers, each case side fitted with a brass carrying handle; the lower section fitted with a slant front opening to a central prospect door flanked by two pigeonholes above a small drawer and a bank of three stepped small shelves to either side, the case fitted with a long drawer above two banks of two short drawers above a long drawer raised on foliate scrolled feet, each case sides fitted with a brass carrying handle, the whole decorated with Chinese figures within river and mountain landscapes, the moldings highlighted in gilding.  Finials replaced.

Franco Semenzato, Venice, March 14 1987, lot 38
Partridge Fine Arts, London

Overall good condition; some restorations to the lacquer in places and with restorations to the gilding mainly to the moldings; the doors with slight bowing, consistent with age; the prospect doors with slight bowing; finials probably later; plinths to corner finials later; some craquelure to lacquer throughout, mainly to case sides and drawer fronts; the backs to upper and lower sections with restorations; some minor nicks and scratches to extremities; very minor lifting to lacquer in places.
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.

Made for the export market, the design of this elaborate cabinet richly lacquered with oriental scenes and figures in tones of gold on black ground, is bases on contemporary European models.  The interior of the upper section follows English examples very closely with the central prospect doors flanked by folio slides and small drawers between valanced pigeonholes.  The present cabinet most closely resembles a cabinet, formerly in the collection of Lord Plender of Sundridge, which sold at Sotheby's London, November 7, 1997, lot 22(£100,500).  The shaped top with three finials, the arrangement of the interior to the upper section and the bureau as well as the arrangement of the lower section with a frieze above two banks of two drawers above a long drawer is almost identical to the present lot.  Two other cabinets with similarly arranged interiors to the upper section and same shaped tops sold in these rooms, June 28, 1996, lot 122 and October 20-21, 2003, lot 372.  Lord Plender's collection was formed under the guidance of R. W Symonds and is illustrated in R. W Symonds, Old English Walnut and Lacquer Furniture, 1923, pp. 166-167, pl. XXXIX.  A number of other Chinese export models demonstrate their Chinese influence by including sliding panels and small pagoda-like interior 'rooms' to the interior of the upper sections.  For example, two of these types sold in these rooms, one on April 18 and 19, 2002 lot 433 ($130,000), another on October 29, 1983, lot 86.

Other cabinets of this form, such as a pair of cabinets now in the Royal Castle of Fredensborg in Denmark, were acquired by Christian XV for the Royal collection in 1738 from Captain Guillame de Brouwer of the ship Sleswig.  This ship had first visited Canton in 1734 under the auspices of the Royal Danish Asiatic Company.  Besides the main cargo of tea, porcelains and silk, each seaman, according to rank, was allowed to return to Denmark with decorative goods, which he was able to sell by private treaty.  Captain Brouwer obviously purchased the pair of cabinets sold to Christian IV in this way on his voyage 1736-37, as he personally sold them to the king, the bill of sale describing them as 'Scrif Contors' or writing cabinets.  In 1744 one was described in an inventory as a black lacquered Chinese chest-of-drawers with a secretary desk and above a cupboard with three small gilded figures on the top (see Tove Clemmensen, 'Some Furniture made in China in the English style, exported from Canton to Denmark 1735, 1737 and 1738', Furniture History, 1985, vol. XXI,  pp. 174-177).