IMPORTANT CABINET EN ZITAN DYNASTIE QING, ÉPOQUE QIANLONG |

rectangulaire, ouvrant à deux panneaux admirablement sculptés en plusieurs niveaux de reliefs de deux dragons à cinq griffes s'affrontant pour la perle enflammée, leur corps sinueux finement détaillés d'écailles, le tout sur un dense fond de nuages stylisés vaporeux dessinant des ruyi, les charnières en bronze doré finement ciselées de dragons sur fond de nuages, la ferrure centrale rectangulaire avec deux crampons décorés de caractères shou stylisés et deux petites plaques mobiles agrémentées de chauves-souris, le bois à la belle patine sombre et brillante

Acquired before 1942 (according to the collector's correspondance).
Thence in the family by descent.

The two door panels each comprise panels made of several narrow panels of solid zitan ca. 3.5cm thick. Each panel with a couple of vertical splits, some losses to the deeply carved raised parts of the design. A ca. 15x5cm large triangular part of the upper right hand corner of one panel possibly restored. The sides and back made of zitan, the frame of zitan veneer, shelves and top another wood. Some overall losses to the veneer around the corners and rims on all four sides. The colour a deep reddish brown, the zitan parts speckled with gold flecks.
"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."

Constructed with thick panels made entirely from zitan wood, this large cabinet, originally the upper part of a compound cabinet, has two front doors, each installed on either side with gilt-bronze plates which are decorated with dragons amongst clouds and waves. The doorpulls, on the other hand, are decorated in low relief with bats and chimes. The two doors are deeply carved in relief with dragons writhing among scrolling clouds, all above various treasures further surrounded by waves and rugged rocks. Each door features two confronting dragons playfully flanking a ‘flaming pearl’, surrounded by clouds, a motif known as er long xi zhu , two dragons playing with a pearl. The entire composition symbolises the emperor’s rule of the lands and oceans. Such imagery was historically popular among, and exclusive to, members of the imperial family, thus placing the present cabinet in the highest class of Chinese furniture.

Such decorative carvings usually feature large five-clawed dragons on top and small four-clawed dragons at the bottom. This cabinet, however, features two five-clawed dragons on each door. The style of the dragon and cloud carvings as well as the dragons’ postures are characteristic of Qianlong period dragons distinguished by their wide heads with multiple protrusions, their paired horns, thick and dense hair over the back of their heads, their large jaw with a short curled beard, noses shaped like the head of a ruyi sceptre or a lion’s nose, their serpentine bodies with scales, and five large ferocious claws reserved for objects and furniture at the Qianlong court. Zitan has a long history in China and appeared already in records in the Jin and Tang dynasties. It was used as a material for household objects and furniture during the Ming and Qing dynasties, but this practice gradually faded by the late-Qing period due to the scarcity of zitan.