Lot 162
  • 162

A PAIR OF 'HUANGHUALI' COMPOUND CABINETS (SIJIANGUI) QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Wood
  • 96 x 36 3/4 x 17 1/4 inches
each cabinet of rectangular form, comprising a smaller top cabinet resting on a larger bottom one, the top cabinet of miter, mortise, tenon, tongue-and-grooved flush floating-panel construction with four square uprights, the bottom cabinet similarly constructed with rectangular floating panels set within a narrow frame, the side panels on both the top and bottom cabinets of the same miter, mortise, tenon, tongue-and-grooved, flush, floating-panel construction, below the doors of the main cabinet rectangular panels above plain spandreled aprons, the interior of the bottom cabinet with a single shelf over two short drawers and deep well, the baitong circular hinges surface-mounted by four round-headed pins, the similarly surface-mounted central circular plates with three openings for the lock receptacles and shaped door pulls (4)

Provenance

Jacques Barrère S.A., Paris, 1990.

Condition

One upper cabinet with three filled tenons, two to the interior lower frame, one to the exterior side frame. One large cabinet with two further filled tenons-indicating the possible reuse of old timber. All four cabinets with several filled and patch repairs. The feet with spliced repairs, the inside are notched indicating lost patch repairs. The backboards (with some shrinkage), shelved, drawers interiors, runners and base boards of soft and mixed woods. The Huanghuali drawer fronts are possibly later replacements. The spandreled aprons are likely later replacements. The cabinets with wear, minor repairs and restorations consistent with age and use. The mounts have been replaced and the hinge of one upper cabinet has lost its pin and is secured with a long metal screw. Please note that this lot will require a CITES permit for export outside of the United States.
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.

Catalogue Note

Known as sijiangui (four-part wardrobes), these massive two-part cabinets were generally made and displayed in pairs. Robes and large items would have been stored in the spacious lower cabinets, with smaller items reserved for the top, which being so high up often necessitated the use of a ladder. The two sections also allowed for a dual usage, the top piece to be placed on floor level when required. This would explain why there are so few surviving examples as separate placements meant they were easily dislocated.

Another pair of similar size from the Frederic Mueller collection is illustrated in Robert H. Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture, New York, 1970, pl. 130. Another pair of this form is illustrated in Robert H. Ellsworth, Nicholas Grindley and Anita Christy, Chinese Furniture, One Hundred Examples from the Raymond and Mimi Hung Collection, New York, 1996, cat. no. 73. A similar pair from the Dr. S.Y. Yip Collection is illustrated in Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and Romance with Huanghuali Wood: The Dr. S.Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, cat. no. 46. A pair from the collection of Reverend Richard Fabian sold in these rooms, 15th March 2016, lot 42.