AN EXCEPTIONAL AND MONUMENTAL PAIR OF ZITAN 'DRAGON' CABINETS QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

each of rectangular form, comprising an upper shelf with a pair of square hinged doors set with a tripartite lock-plate incised with archaistic designs, each enclosing an elaborately carved dragon writhing sinuously and chasing a flaming pearl, all meticulously articulated in varying levels of relief, resting on a pair of tall rectangular hinged doors similarly set with a tripartite lock-plate, each door similarly carved with four confronting dragons depicted writhing in pursuit of a flaming pearl, above a rectangular panel centred with a flaming pearl flanked by a pair of dragons, all supported on a similarly carved apron and four square-section plated legs, the interior of one set with a two-tiered shelf, the other set with a horizontal rod near the top

There are extensive worm holes to the surface. Other minor surface wear and shrinkage at the joints.
"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."

This pair of monumental compound cabinets is impressive for the dynamic carved design of dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl amongst swirling clouds. The contrasting forms of the rounded bodies of the five-clawed dragons and sharply-delineated clouds have been successfully captured through the fine and dense grain of the precious zitan wood. In their imposing form and design, they boldly declare the authority of the owner and would have dominated the hall or room in which they were housed.

A total of fourteen five-clawed dragons adorn each of these compound cabinets, which were constructed of two matched cabinets stacked on top of each other and each with a pair of doors. The pair is known as sijian gui and was a common form in the Ming and Qing dynasties. As the cabinets were designed to stand side by side or set apart in a symmetrical arrangement they were made with square members and without any splay in order to fit tightly together. Qing dynasty cabinets such as the current lot were typically carved or embellished with auspicious decoration; see a pair of zitan cabinets deftly carved with a similar design of dragons, but with a frontal-facing dragon on each door surrounded by four smaller dragons, in the Yang Xin Dian (Hall of Mental Cultivation), illustrated in situ in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties II, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 249, together with a carved cinnabar lacquer version with a related dragon design, pl. 210; a zitan cabinet, but lacking the apron, carved with the baijixiang among clouds, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The 200 Objects You Should Know. Red Sandalwood Furniture, Beijing, 2008, pl. 147; and a huanghuali cabinet inlaid with semi-precious stones and ivory to depict antiquities and vases of flowers, also in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in A Treasury of Ming and Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture, vol. 1, Beijing, 2007, pl. 360.