A CINNABAR LACQUER 'LION' TREASURE CABINET QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of rectangular form supported on four 'L'-shaped feet, the removable panelled door deftly carved and incised in high relief through the rich cinnabar lacquer with a central panel enclosing three Buddhist lions frolicking amidst flames around a beribboned ball, the mythical felines detailed with long-haired manes, bushy tails and sharp fangs within a raised border of key-fret repeated along the sides, all reserved on a floral-diaper ground, the top, sides and reverse similarly decorated with one or two Buddhist lions frolicking around a beribboned ball, the cover set with a gilt-bronze lock and pull in the form of a bat, opening to reveal a partition of three drawers and two compartments surrounding a central square alcove, the top fitted with a square hinged gilt-metal double handle engraved with key-fret and phoenix head-terminals, the interior and the base lacquered in black

The cabinet is overall in fairly good condition. There is an old restored chip to the upper right corner of the box. There is some relacquering in areas on the lower rail, and expected flakes and wear where the pegs of the front door fit in the box. There are also some restored bruises to the upper right corners of the opening front door (showing on the illustration in the catalogue) and a few small restored chips along the raised key-fret border of the border. There are further minor minute dents and typical stabilized age crackling along the raised key-fret frames on the top, sides and back panels. The actual colour is consistent with the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Boxes of this type emerged during the Ming dynasty and peaked in popularity during the Qianlong reign. They were created to house a variety of objects such as miniature treasures and collectables, instruments for painting and calligraphy, medicinal substances or jewellery. Qianlong cinnabar lacquer cabinets of this form, enclosing compartments of various shapes and sizes, include one carved with nine dragons amongst crashing waves, published in Masterpieces of Chinese Carved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 35; and another with canted corners housing a complete matching tea ceremony set, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26th April 1998, lot 565.

For a Jiajing mark and period prototype, decorated with a pine tree twisted in the form of a shou character, see a cabinet in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition The Imperial Packing Art of the Qing Dynasty, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2000, cat. no. 29.