A magnificent Chinese Export gilt and black laquer bureau cabinet, upper section with a curved swan neck pediment decorated with floral decoration above a pair of doors opening to reveal an elaborate fitted interior. The base with a fall front opening to reveal more drawers and a centred door with hinterglass painting showing a young shepherd with sheep in landscape flanked additional drawers. The exterior decorated with Chinese landscape scenes, the interior with landscape scenes, flowers and birds on the doors and drawers. Each side with carrying handles and brass hardware throughout. Canton (Guangzhou) in southern China, c. 1740. H. 230 cm. W. 115 cm. D. 66 cm.
The elaborate design of this cabinet shows how Chinese craftsmen were able to master the complex forms of European furniture, with its arrangement of compartments and drawers which had an exotic appeal in the West. The palette of black and gold is not typically Chinese but imitates Japanese lacquer, which was expensive and difficult to procure in the 18th century. Provenance: A Danish private collection.
A pair of cabinets now in the Royal Castle of Fredensborg in Denmark were acquired by Christian IV for the Royal Collection in 1738 from Captain Guillame de Brouwer of the ship Sleswig. This ship had first visited Canton in 1734 under the auspices of the Royal Danish Asiatic Company. Besides the main cargo of tea, porcelain and silk, each seaman, according to rank, was allowed to return to Denmark with decorative goods, which he was able to sell by private treaty.
Condition report available on request.