A well carved cinnaber lacquer 'Kang' cabinet, Qing dynasty, 18th Century.
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The miniature cabinet is configured with a smaller compartment on top and a larger one below opening to reveal a pair of small drawers, above a shallow drawer. The four doors and front of the drawer are finely carved with landscape scenes depicting scholars engaged in various pursuits. All are framed within key-fret borders and fitted with gilt-metal handles and hinges. Measurements 57,5x39x16,5 cm.
Small retouches, chips.
Provenance
Acquired in Helsinki from the antique dealer Erik Nyholm ca 1990.
Literature
A cabinet of this type is illustrated in Carved Lacquer in the Collection of the Palace Museum, 1985, pl 297.
Another depicted in 'Special Exhibition of Palace Lacquer Objects, Taiwan 1981, Catalogue no 65.
More information
Miniature cabinets of this type were made for display on a kang, which served as a seat in the day and a bed at night.