May Gallery Auction
Fri, May 15, 2026 01:00PM EDT
Lot 3392
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Multi-Drawer Cabinets
Estimate: $500 - $700
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $1 |
| $5 | $5 |
| $50 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Multi-Drawer Cabinets, Republic period (1912–1949), each fitted with eight small drawers. The cabinets are decorated in contrasting color schemes: one in green lacquer featuring a dragon-and-phoenix motif symbolizing harmony and auspicious union (longfeng chengxiang), and the other in black lacquer adorned with birds and peony blossoms, conveying wishes for prosperity and honor (huakai fugui). The drawer fronts are further embellished with gilt floral designs and fitted with metal handles.
Conceived as a wedding gift for a newly married couple, the cabinets embody blessings for marital harmony, prosperity, and a virtuous household. Therefore, the interior of each drawer is lined with printed paper bearing moral maxims and didactic texts, promoting values such as gratitude, humility, discipline, and proper conduct in daily life—reflecting the continued importance of Confucian ethics in Republican-era domestic culture. Well-preserved overall, these cabinets are rare survivals that combine decorative appeal with social and cultural meaning.
Green cabinet: 27 5/8 x 14 x 9 5/8 inches; Black cabinet: 27 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches.
Condition
For condition report, please contact the Asian Art Department.
Available payment options
Shipping Provisions, including insurance, packaging, and handling of purchased lots is at the risk and expense of the purchaser. MA shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for the loss, theft or damage to property, including, but not limited to selection of shipper, the acts or omissions of any shipper or the acts or omissions occurring in packing for shipment. Post sale determination of shipping costs does not constitute grounds for cancellation of any purchase made at auction. The Purchaser is responsible for any insurance of the shipment.
Highlight
A