A 'Baitong'-Mounted Carved 'Huanghuali' Seal Chest (Guanpixiang) Qing dynasty, 18th Century

the small cabinet of cubic form with hinged lift lid cover over two doors, opening to reveal two long drawers over one deep and two shallow drawers, the front of the chest and of the drawers carved in low-relief with archaistic scrolling gui-dragons, mounted with a central baitong clasp of shou form, baitong rectangular hinges, bail handles to the sides, the interior drawers with pendant pulls

Christie's New York, 30th November 1984, lot 582.
Thereafter with the present owners.

scattered old age cracks, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide strip pieced into back of cover, one pendant pull replaced, tiny strip let into front upper right corner of cover; slight lifting to front left corner; scattered old scratches and moderate wear to surface, clasp mount and drawer pulls probably of a later date
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.

It is unusual to encounter a chest of this form with such elaborate carving, as the majority are often unadorned, relying on the beauty of the grain of the wood for ornamentation. Compare a pair of chests, attributed to the 17th / 18th century, the doors carved in low-relief with prunus and rock, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 2nd October 1991, lot 1693. Compare also a chest with elaborate prunus and scroll-carved exterior, attributed to the late 17th century, sold in these rooms, 26th March 1993, lot 232; a chest elaborately carved with dragons, qilong and scrollwork, attributed to the Wanli period, sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 1996, lot 96; and also a chest with doors carved in low-relief with stylized shou characters, the apron with classic twining scrolls, attributed to the 17th century, sold in these rooms, 23rd March 1999, lot 28.