A PAIR OF FINE HUANGHUALI AND HUAMU KANG CABINETS, KANGGUI
17th/18th century
The top and sides and back composed of richly figured huanghuali, the top two-board panels set into a mitered, mortise and tenoned frame with 'water-stopping' edge over a pair of well-matched huamu panel doors fitted with baitong lockplate and hasp and opening to reveal two interior shelves with original lacquer, the top suspending paired drawers and all over elegant xiangcai and cloud-scroll beaded aprons carved in high relief on the front and sides, the back apron carved with a beaded scallop edge centered on interlocking tendrils over a cloud-shaped floret.
23 7/8 x 19 1/8in x 13 5/8in (60.7 x 48.6 x 34.5cm) each (2).
Footnotes:
十七/十八世紀 黃花梨嵌樺木方角炕櫃成對

Provenance:
Grace Wu Bruce, Hong Kong, early 1990's

來源：
香港嘉木堂（Grace Wu Bruce），二十世紀九十年代初

Small cabinets of this size and quality are rare. As tables seldom had drawers, cabinets such as these served to house both useful objects and 'scholar's playthings'. See a pair of cabinets in the Hung collection, composed of huanghuali with burl panels published in Ellsworth et. al., op.cit., volume 1 sold at Sotheby's, 14 September 2016, lot 358, and a cabinet sold at Christie's New York, 20 March 2013, lot 921, provenance M. Flacks.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: W Y
W If the lot is not picked up immediately following the auction it may be removed to an offsite storage location for collection. Please contact the salesroom location for further details including dates of removal and applicable charges.
Y Prospective buyers should pay special attention to the 'Notice Regarding Regulated Species Materials and CITES Permits' published in the printed catalog. This information is also available by contacting the salesroom.

The front panels are huamu insets, side and back panels are well-figured huanghuali; the baitong hardware includes a pair of clasp locks; the wood on all sides is 'book-matched'; the Xiangcai carved aprons are very elegant and are carved on all four sides.