An imperial cinnabar lacquer miniature display cabinet Qing dynasty, Qianlong period

elaborately and finely carved as a compartmentalised cabinet with three open shelves arranged around a closed cabinet with hinged doors, supported on a pair of bracket feet each with a drawer inside, further decorated on top with two stacks of books inlaid with bone 'pages'  each with hidden compartments and resting on low bracketed stands, the centre shelf set with another small drawer and a low tray on top, all carved with great detail with a variety of different diaper grounds and patterns

The Toms Collection.
Christie's London, 7th June 1995, lot 131.
Christie's Hong Kong, 29th April 2002, lot 533.

The overall condition is very good with only minor expected chips along the edges consolidated beneath paint. The restoration is very light with no re-lacquering. A few of the bone pages may have been restuck, but all are original.
"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."

While it is not unusual to find cinnabar lacquer curio cabinets with hidden compartments, it is rarer to find larger ones like the present lot with imitation books.  See a similar example in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Meishu Quanji, Qing, vol. 6., no. 230. 

These cabinets are also found in other materials such as bamboo.  Compare a bamboo veneer cabinet sold in our New York rooms 31st March 2005, lot 185.