Painted Red Lacquer Cabinet

This early 20th century red lacquer cabinet is lavishly decorated with gilt accents and intricate, hand-painted line work. The tall cabinet has a clean-lined form, designed with straight sides, square corners and an ornately carved apron. The front of the cabinet is cloaked in a bright, cinnabar-red lacquer finish, contrasted by a thin layer of dark lacquer on the interior and sides. The vibrant red lacquer provides the perfect canvas for painted decoration, lightly faded but well-preserved even after years of use.

The doors are decorated with whimsical round medallions of various motifs, backed by an all-over pattern of geometric scrollwork. Among the painted symbols are butterflies for happiness, deer for longevity, flowers of the seasons, various scholars’ objects and figures holding scrolls drawn with blessings. The frame is painted butterflies and trailing vines and the lower panel with three large medallions of dragons and florals.

The apron is carved with an openwork design of geometric scrollwork embedded with bats, Shou longevity symbols and archaistic dragon heads. The lacquer finish has aged beautifully with time, developing fantastic character from years of use.