A Chinese huanghuali coffer table

18th century

Featuring three drawers within the upper register of the coffer and two centrally-opening doors to the lower register. Each drawer is complemented by intricate gilt-metal handles and hinges. On either side of the coffer is a lingzhi motif decoration. With previous Sotheby's sticker to verso.

H: 34 1/4, W: 54 7/8, D: 16 5/8 in. (H: 87, W: 139.38, D: 42.23 cm.)

Provenance: Private collection, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Lot 323, Lot 442 to 456, and Lot 500 to 508 are from the same collector.

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This three-drawer cabinet is crafted with high-quality Huanghuali wood. The upper surface of the cabinet curves up at both ends, with intricately carved Lingzhi patterns decorating the junctions between the top and the cabinet body. The front opens up with two doors, and the copper accessories including the handles and latches are well preserved. Each of the four legs angle outward, flaring slightly at the lower edge. The three-drawer cabinet was a popular furniture design among wealthy households in Beijing during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It could be used as a Buddhist altar or for storing books and trinkets, making it both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Generally, such cabinets are only veneered with Huanghuali wood, but this cabinet is made entirely of Huanghuali wood, except for the back and bottom panels. With the rare materials and the exquisite craftsmanship, this cabinet is a remarkable early Qing Huanghuali masterpiece.

See below references for similar items: Palace Museum, No. 00166478 ; Beijing Guardian, June 2012 Spring Sale, Lot 2826; Christie's New York, September 2023, Lot 0948.

此件連三櫥整體選用優質黃花梨製成，案形結構，櫥面兩頭翹起，面下兩端與櫥身相連處有雕靈芝紋牙，原配銅製拉手、插銷及鎖鼻保存完好，對開兩扇門。四腿外撇，側腳收分。連三櫥是明末清初北京大戶人家流行的家具款式，既可做佛堂供案，又可擺放書籍物品，大氣而又實用。 一般此類櫥都爲黃花梨貼皮，本櫉用黃花梨整木製作（背闆、底闆除外），用料上乘且不計工本，做工精細，是一件較爲少見的清早期黃花梨精品。

相似藏品可參閱：故宮博物院館藏，編號新00166478；北京嘉德2012年06月春拍，編號2826；佳士得拍賣2023年09月紐約拍賣，編號0948