A Huanghuali Square-Corner Two Door Cabinet, Ligui Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

of rectangular form, the square corner posts enclosing the pair of doors, the bottom half with a floating solid panel, the upper half with openwork trellis, repeated in the side panels, all above a plain narrow apron and short legs, the interior with two shelves one containing two drawers

Purchased from Hei Hung-Lu, Hong Kong, late 1980s/early 1990s.

The cabinet is in very good condition with the exception of replaced metalwork, an age split to the right hand side panel, possible replacement to the aprons and minor surface scratches and wear commensurate with age.
"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."

Lattice inset furniture was popular in the Qing dynasty and favoured for its attractive contrast with the clean simple lines of the overall form and its ability to create a light, open structure. Cabinets with openwork on three sides were well-ventilated and would have provided a suitable book storage area. Furthermore, as light entered the sides of the cabinet, the lattice pattern would have cast pleasing shadows inside onto the objects that could also be stored inside.

 

The style of carving of these lattice panels differs from the subtle intaglio carving on the panel beneath, while the wooden frames within which they are mounted are different to the rest of the cabinet. These suggest that the panels may have been made by a specialised craftsman and added once the cabinet was assembled.

 

Huanghuali cabinets are known adorned with a variety of lattice panels; for example see a round-corner kang wardrobe, but reticulated only on the upper half of the doors, sold three times at Christie’s New York, in 1994, 1998 and most recently, 24^th March 2011, lot 1369; and another, but both top and bottom sections of the doors with reticulated designs, illustrated in Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture. One Hundred and Three Examples from the Mimi and Raymond Hung Collection, New York, 2005, pl. 8, and sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1^st December 2009, lot 1931, from the Mimi and Raymond Hung collection. See also four-door wardrobes with openwork on the upper compartments, such as a pair of huanghuali cabinets sold in these rooms, 27^th October 1989, lot 40; a zitan cabinet sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27^th October 1992, lot 282; and another zitan example, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1^st December 2010, lot 3017.