A Chinese Export Black Lacquer and Parcel-Gilt desk-and-bookcase Circa 1745

Feet possibly replaced.

Sold, Sotheby's, New York, April 18-19, 2002, lot 433

Sold, Christie's, New York, Le Goût Steinitz, I,October 19, 2007, lot 30 ($301,000)

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:

Tove Clemenson, 'Some Furniture Made in China in the English Style, Exported from Canton to Denmark, 1735, 1737 and 1738', The Furniture History Society Journal, 1985, pp. 174-180, fig. 7
M. Jourdain and R. S. Jenyns, Chinese Export Art in the Eighteenth Century, London, 1950, p. 85, fig. 24
Lanto Synge, Mallett Millenium, London, 1999, p. 132, fig. 149

Overall good restored condition; maintaining the majority of the original lacquer decoration with areas of stabilization and some inpainting in places. Lacquer appears to be mostly stable. The top cresting with craquelure and some lifting to lacquer with a large chip to the left side of top approximately 2 in. x 3 in.; the top with a glossy surface and with cracks over lines of construction; gilding to cresting looks to be refreshed. The left side to upper section with a large chip to lacquer to bottom of panel approximately 1 in. x 1/2 in.; left side panel to lower section with four large chips to lacquer approximately 1 in. x 2 in.; 1 in. x 1 in.; and two chips at 1/2 in. x 1/2 in.; some small chips around the moldings and with craquelure. The right side upper section in good condition with minor vertical age cracks; the middle panel to the right side with three inpainted vertical age cracks; the lower panel to the right side with two large inpainted vertical age cracks - all age cracks appear to be over lines of construction. The upper part of the front with a glossy surface to the doors; the interior in good condition with small chips an losses around some key holes; one vertical age crack to the center of the backs of the doors; the left door with a chip to lacquer at the bottom edge; the bottom edge of the upper section (above the slant front) with small chips and losses to lacquer with some lifting; the slant front in good condition with glossy surface and some inpainting; interior of the desk in good condition with refreshed gilding to the moldings and drawer dividers; some minor lifting to lacquer; the writing surface with refreshed decoration; the lower section with losses to gilded molded apron to the center with some losses and refreshed gilding; lower section in good condition with minor lifting to lacquer. The apron to the base of the lower section appears to have a layer of later painted decoration with is painted on gesso - the gesso has a number of large chips revealing the original lacquer decoration beneath; the feet are probably later; back right corner of the apron with a large loss to lacquer approximately 1 in. x 3 in.
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 based on contemporary European models.  A group of similar desks-and-bookcases which are of this form include a pair of cabinets now in the Royal Castle of Fredensborg in Denmark which 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).  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, one of these types sold in these rooms, on October 29, 1983, lot 86.

The present desk and bookcase is also similar to another group of cabinets, one of which was formerly in the collection of Lord Plender of Sundridge, which sold at Sotheby's London, November 7, 1997, lot 22(£100,500).  Other similar cabinets sold in these rooms, June 28, 1996, lot 122 and October 20-21, 2003, lot 372 and most recently October 19, 2011, lot 715 ($266,500).  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.