A Brass-Bound Hardwood Ice-Chest on Stand Qing Dynasty, 18th / 19th Century

the chest of square section with tapering sides, bound with two horizontal straps of brass, two opposing sides with a pair of bail handles suspended from hemispherical bosses, the loose cover in two sections, one section pierced with two 'cash' motifs, pewter liner; all on a conforming stand supported on sturdy cabriole legs terminating in paw feet upon a box stretcher (2)

R.H. Ellsworth Ltd., New York  (until 1st September 1993).
Thereafter with the present owners.

at least three sides with added narrow vertical splines, some splits to top of pewter liner, scattered age cracks, cracks to feet, one with patch at knee, wear to finish,
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.

Ice-chests such as the present example would have been used not only to keep perishables cool, but would also serve as personal 'air conditioners', whereby the cool air emitting from the ice contained in the chest could be fanned towards a recipient during hot weather. For other examples see a chest on stand of cypress, attributed to the Qing dynasty, illustrated in Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, no. 236, p. 279; another chest on stand in Gustav Ecke, Chinese Domestic Furniture, Tokyo, 1979, no. 29, p. 41; and a third, attributed to the early 17th century, in Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture, Hardwood Examples of the Ming and Early Ch'ing Dynasties, New York, 1970, no. 147, p. 231. Wood ice-chests of this type rarely appear on the open market. Compare the ice-chest on stand sold in our London rooms, 7th March 1980, lot 258, and another sold in these rooms, 25th April 1987, lot 548.