Red Lacquer Wedding Cabinet From Fujian - 19th Century

This commanding 19th century red lacquer wedding cabinet originates from Fujian Province in South China and was traditionally created as part of a marriage dowry. Cabinets of this type were often made in pairs and presented to mark the beginning of a new household, symbolising prosperity, harmony and generational continuity. The vibrant cinnabar red ground and animated gilt decoration reflect the bold lacquer tradition of coastal Fujian during the Qing dynasty, where colour, narrative imagery and auspicious symbolism were central to domestic display.

This antique lacquered Fujian cabinet is constructed from pine wood, a timber frequently used in regional workshops and fully enveloped in layered lacquer. Across the façade unfolds a lively procession of officials, attendants, scholars, labourers and riders mounted on mythical beasts, a 20th century gilded embellishment added during its life in China. These narrative scenes are framed by bats, an auspicious visual rebus for fu, meaning good fortune, while birds, insects and symbolic objects animate the surrounding ground. The bats and surrounding lacquer work are original to the piece. A closely comparable example without gilded decoration is illustrated in Fig. 535 of Mazurkewich, Karen, Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques.

The cabinet is constructed in two sections, with a double-door upper compartment set above three drawers and a lower cupboard. The original brass hardware has a deep, untouched patina, comprising a beautifully shaped butterfly-form lock plate to the upper doors and a circular roundel plate to the lower cupboard. These bold brass fittings serve both practical and symbolic roles, the butterfly in particular being associated with joy and marital happiness. The elongated proportions, confident decoration and lacquered pine construction are consistent with 19th century Fujian production.

• Origin: Fujian Province, South China
• Date: 19th century
• Materials: Lacquered pine; original brass hardware
• Finish: Red lacquer ground with original and later gilt embellishments
• Construction: Two-part cabinet; upper cupboard; three central drawers; lower cupboard
• Hardware: Original brass butterfly lock plate and circular roundel plate with rich patina
• Motifs: Court officials, attendants, scholars, labourers, mythical beasts, bats, birds and auspicious emblems
• Condition: Good antique condition with age-related wear, surface patina and historic gilded embellishments. Restored in our UK workshops.
• Dimensions: Width 145 × Depth 53 × Height 193 cm

References

• Mazurkewich, Karen. Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques. Rutland, VT: Tuttle Publishing, 2007. Fig. 535.

A symbolically rich and visually powerful example of South Chinese wedding furniture, retaining strong original character, depth of colour and decorative presence.