Cabinet en bois laqué rouge Huaqi Chine, dynastie Ming, XVIIE siècle

ouvrant à deux vantaux et trois tiroirs en ceinture surmontés d'un casier ouvert au cadre découpé, la traverse mouvementée, à décor en façade d'oiseaux et pivoines, papillons et prunus sur les côtés, papillons et pivoines dessus et à l'intérieur du casier, le dos laqué noir

In good general condition. Several cracks to the lacquer, most significantly the upper surface and to the left hand side. Other minor flaking to lacquer, visible to one section in the upper right hand corner above right-hand drawer. Some other retouching particularly to corners and edges.
"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 attractive decorative technique of treating furniture in red lacquer before painting a design in gold or polychrome grew in popularity during the Ming and Qing dynasties. A red lacquer cabinet painted in a similar style with birds amongst flowering branches issuing from rockwork, but of taller form and with a hat-chest surmounting the cabinet, is illustrated in Michel Beurdeley, Chinese Furniture, Tokyo, 1979, pl. 175; and its companion piece, from the collection of Sammy Y. Lee, published in Lee Yu-kuan, Oriental Lacquer Art, was sold at Christie's New York, 25^th March 2010, lot 1068. Compare also a slightly later pair of cabinets of similar size and painted with birds and flowering branches, but lacking the upper open frame upper section, sold in our New York rooms, 25^th September 1986, lot 562.