A spectacular gold painted lacquer cabinet Mark and Period of Wanli

THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION 3 WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE.



of rectangular form, meticulously painted in gold  and red against a black lacquered ground with sixteen playful Buddhistic lions frolicking amid lush and dense lotus scroll while chasing brocade balls, all centering on the stile and baitong escutcheon and pulls, opening to a red lacquer interior with two shelves and a pair of drawers, above a painted beaded cusped apron centered on a pair of addorsed leaves, the sides similarly painted each with twelve lions, the back side painted in gold with mynah birds surrounded by a prunus tree,  peonies and rocks, all below a horizontal cartouche containing a six-character reign mark

Vallin Gallery, Connecticut, 1970s.
Asian Art Gallery, New York.
Sotheby's New York, 15th September 1999, lot 108.

The cabinet is in very good condition with vivid color of gold design well preserved; some lacquer flaking but stable; expected age cracks; hinges possibly a replacement; right drawer replaced in ancient time; middle rails on the interior replaced; bottom left corner on the interior of cabinet drilled through (approx. 4 cm diameter) to put electrical wire.
"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."

The mate to this cabinet was owned by a French dealership, Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes in Paris, and was published in Chinese Furniture,  Michel Beurdeley, Tokyo, 1979, p. 124. It was later sold to a private collector and eventually offered at Sotheby's London 4th May 1984, lot 106 and is currently owned by a private European collector (fig. 1). 

A comparable 3-meter high cabinet painted in the same technique with red and gilt dragons amongst scrolling lotus on black ground, with a Wanli reign mark and of the period, in the Guimet Museum in Paris, is illustrated in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, pl. 144; and another, but without a reign mark, was sold at Christie's London, 30th October 1989, lot 202. and another compound cabinet with a hat chest and similarly painted with gilt dragons is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  See also another, but with a removable 'hat box' upper compartment and decorated in gilt with pavilions in a mountainous landscape, also with a Wanli reign mark and of the period, that sold in our New York rooms, 21-22nd September, 2005, lot 359.