清乾隆 紫檀嵌粉彩瓷片多寶格一對

each constructed in a symmetrical manner to the other, comprising two main registers resting on four short scroll feet, the upper register with three open cuboid cabinets of varying sizes, one surmounted by a pierced upright balustrade border, the other two with various angular upright scroll borders, the largest shelf set with a rectangular drawer, all supported on a chest of three horizontal drawers and four scroll feet, the reverse and sides of the lower register carved with angular scrollwork, each drawer fitted with a porcelain panel decorated in famille-rose enamels with elaborate floral and foliate scrolls

There are minor cracks to the fragile applied decoration, including the angular scrollwork above the right jaw on the left cabinet. The side panels on each cabinet have been professionally refixed to the body. Other minor consolidation and strengthening but overall good condition.
"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 fine pair of cabinets is remarkable for the inset porcelain panels that decorate the drawers, a practice that was inherited from the Ming dynasty when porcelain panels were inlaid on the tops of tables and stools. Decorated in bright enamels with leafy scrolls against different coloured grounds, these porcelain panels offset the fine grained zitan, the most valuable timber available at the Qing court, to create a sumptuous decorative effect. The irregular heights of the shelves, which lighten the solidity of the cabinet and create a pleasing asymmetry, act to frame and give increased importance to the objects it would have housed.

Display cabinets of this small size are known inlaid with a variety of media; see a hardwood cabinet inset with hardstones, in the Frederick Mclean Bugher collection, sold at Christie’s London, 19th July 1982, lot 275; a pair of zitan cabinets, inset with reverse glass and a lacquer panel decorated with stained ivory, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 3rd December 2008, lot 2512; and a small zitan display cabinet sold in these rooms, 27th April 2003, lot 17.

Small cabinets of this type were designed for the emperor’s unsurpassed collection of antiques, fine contemporary ceramics, small scholar’s rocks and other miniature works of art. They appear to have developed from Ming dynasty bookcases, often modelled with several drawers used for storing writing materials. Asymmetrical shelves, which are often found depicted in contemporary woodblock illustrations and paintings, were a Qing innovation. Display cabinets of various sizes with irregular shelves are in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, illustrated in situ in Splendors of China’s Forbidden City. The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong, The Field Museum, Chicago, 2004, pl. 283.