A RARE HUANGHUALI TRAVELLING CHEST 17TH CENTURY

of upright rectangular section, supported on a flanged base with square-corner feet and a bracket-shaped apron with lipped edge extending into interlocking scrolls, the well-figured door panels set with rectangular baitong face-plates and handles and square hinges, opening to reveal a series of fourteen drawers of varied sizes surrounding a display alcove concealed behind two further doors, the drawers fitted with baitong lobed ring handles and the alcove embellished with an inner frame carved with foliate scrolls, all within a frame mounted with hinged square handles on the sides and a gently domed top, the tightly grained wood lustrously patinated

The chest is in overall very good condition with expected wear and minor dents or stains in keeping with its age. There are some light watermarks to the left of the top, and some light fading to the right of the top plank. There are some minor chips and typical age cracks along the edges, some with old fills as for example on the top rear corners. There are a few minor vertical age cracks slightly opening in the grain below the handle on the left side. The back rail of the shaped base is a later huanghuali replacement, as expected for a section of the furniture that was in contact with a wall and more likely to be exposed to moisture. The drawers have a frame in Huanghuali.The bottom of the top drawer has been replaced and there is a a 13 x 2cm restored chipped section to the rear. Number left-four and left-five have some bruises on top of their back rail. The number one and no. four on the right side have replaced bottom plank. Number five on the right side has a 4 by 1 cm chip to the back rail that have been restored. At least two of the drawers have a replaced bottom. A bottom plank of the bottom of the first drawer on the left is also a replacement. Some drawers developped some moldings on the interior, including the two bottom drawers. The carved shaped inner frame inside the alcove opening inside may be a later Huanghuali replacement (the carving of the beaded edge appears to be somewhat thicker than the curling borders surrounding the base). The metal peg closing the front door is a later replacement as it is often the case. At least part of the bottom planks of the frame are likely to be later replacement, as well as the dividing partition between the two larger drawers at the bottom which also appear to be of a different type of wood. Otherwise the overall patina of the wood is warm and smooth, the colour is slightly less reddish, more golden brown compared to 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."

Compare a similar chest, but raised on short legs, illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Classic Chinese Furniture. Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 1986, pl. 158, where it is catalogued as a medicine cabinet due to the various small drawers, although it could also be used for storing other objects (p. 303). See another related chest sold in our New York rooms, 21^st September 2006, lot 42; and one resting on a base and fitted with 28 small drawers, from the Jingguangtang collection, sold twice at Christie’s New York, 20^th March 1997, lot 8, and again, 21^st September 2004, lot 15.