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  • Gilt Black Lacquer Chinese Export Shrine Cabinet - Ca 1820

    Gilt Black Lacquer Chinese Export Shrine Cabinet - Ca 1820

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    Roll over image to zoom in

    Trade & Wholesale

    Our origins are in wholesale, so from movies to restaurants, retailers to architects, we have a long history of supplying our trade clients with unusual and unique oriental furniture & decorative art. 

    Whether purchasing for resale or buying on behalf of a client, we offer trade discount pricing to:


  • Retail Stores
  • Interior Designers
  • Film & Photo Studios
  • Architects
  • Event Producers

  • For all trade and wholesale enquiries please email us with your contact and business name, company registration number & VAT number (if applicable) to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Prop Hire

    Looking for that one off iconic piece for an event or requiring props for a filming or a photography shoot? You will have seen our oriental antique furniture & decorative art in the James Bond films, The Golden Compass and many others.


    For all prop hire enquiries please send emails to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Gilt Black Lacquer Chinese Export Shrine Cabinet - Ca 1820

    SKU:M860

    £4,450

    This excellent Chinese export cabinet is one of a kind, deeply unusual in form, and comes with excellent provenance. It's one of the highest quality Chinese export cabinets we've seen and is on par with many of the pieces in the Peabody Essex Museum, the leading museum for Canton export ware. 

    The cabinet was made in Canton in the early 19th century and merges traditional Chinese black lacquer & maki-e gilt work with British brass hardware & depictions of Japanese style shrines. This cabinet was purchased from Apperly Court in Gloucestershire and was purchased by Algernon Strickland (1816 - 18/09/1835) as a present to his 'Aunt Julia' (Juliana Sabrina Strickland 1765 - 21/09/1849) for 'Fanny Strickland' (Frances Strickland, Algernon's sister 1803 - 10/04/1888). As Algernon died in 1835 of Yellow Fever, this cabinet was made before 1832. 

     

    These Chinese export table cabinets were made for wealthy members of the Western upper class in the Qing dynasty including the Georgians when Chinoiserie was all the rage in the early 19th century. Black lacquer export sewing kits, game boxes, tea caddies, and chess tables were also made.

     

    The front of the cabinet depicts raised panels of gilt buildings and landscapes with the top front and sides surrounded by flowers and foliage. The interiors of the doors depict bamboo, pine, and prunus. The elaborate interior is a Japanese temple with a central drawer forming steps leading to a circular window with a view of a table with Buddhist emblems on two small drawers. The interior box can be removed to reveal secret drawers. 

    This gilt work would have been done using the maki-e technique which was perfected in Japan. This technique involves sprinkling pure gold dust onto urushi lacquer as it dries. An incredibly sophisticated and advanced technique. The textured work is created by layering red lacquer before finishing. 


    These pieces are fragile pieces of history and are usually found damaged especially the tops, however, the condition of this piece is excellent given its fragility & age. This jewellery cabinet has been checked over in our workshop and small restorations made to stop the aging process. There are areas of visible wear which can be seen in the photographs.


    Similar examples and further information can be found in The Decorative Arts of The China Trade by Crossman.

    A nearly identical cabinet likely made by the same workshop in Canton can be found in Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich. 

     

    Dimensions:

    35.5 x 28 x 52 (wxdxh cms)

     

    From China

     

    UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £15
    More delivery options available at checkout

    Dimensions: W35.5 x D28 x H52 cm


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    £4,450
    0
    0

    Free UK Delivery on orders over £100 

    Use code 'Delivery' at checkout

    In Stock - In Our Wiltshire Showroom

    Dimensions: W35.5 x D28 x H52 cm


    Free UK Delivery on orders over £250 

    Use code 'Delivery' at checkout

    In Stock - In Our Wiltshire Showroom

    Shipping & Warranty

    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    This excellent Chinese export cabinet is one of a kind, deeply unusual in form, and comes with excellent provenance. It's one of the highest quality Chinese export cabinets we've seen and is on par with many of the pieces in the Peabody Essex Museum, the leading museum for Canton export ware. 

    The cabinet was made in Canton in the early 19th century and merges traditional Chinese black lacquer & maki-e gilt work with British brass hardware & depictions of Japanese style shrines. This cabinet was purchased from Apperly Court in Gloucestershire and was purchased by Algernon Strickland (1816 - 18/09/1835) as a present to his 'Aunt Julia' (Juliana Sabrina Strickland 1765 - 21/09/1849) for 'Fanny Strickland' (Frances Strickland, Algernon's sister 1803 - 10/04/1888). As Algernon died in 1835 of Yellow Fever, this cabinet was made before 1832. 

     

    These Chinese export table cabinets were made for wealthy members of the Western upper class in the Qing dynasty including the Georgians when Chinoiserie was all the rage in the early 19th century. Black lacquer export sewing kits, game boxes, tea caddies, and chess tables were also made.

     

    The front of the cabinet depicts raised panels of gilt buildings and landscapes with the top front and sides surrounded by flowers and foliage. The interiors of the doors depict bamboo, pine, and prunus. The elaborate interior is a Japanese temple with a central drawer forming steps leading to a circular window with a view of a table with Buddhist emblems on two small drawers. The interior box can be removed to reveal secret drawers. 

    This gilt work would have been done using the maki-e technique which was perfected in Japan. This technique involves sprinkling pure gold dust onto urushi lacquer as it dries. An incredibly sophisticated and advanced technique. The textured work is created by layering red lacquer before finishing. 


    These pieces are fragile pieces of history and are usually found damaged especially the tops, however, the condition of this piece is excellent given its fragility & age. This jewellery cabinet has been checked over in our workshop and small restorations made to stop the aging process. There are areas of visible wear which can be seen in the photographs.


    Similar examples and further information can be found in The Decorative Arts of The China Trade by Crossman.

    A nearly identical cabinet likely made by the same workshop in Canton can be found in Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich. 

     

    Dimensions:

    35.5 x 28 x 52 (wxdxh cms)

     

    From China

     

    UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £15
    More delivery options available at checkout


    Shipping & Warranty

    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    Trade & Wholesale

    Our origins are in wholesale, so from movies to restaurants, retailers to architects, we have a long history of supplying our trade clients with unusual and unique oriental furniture & decorative art. 

    Whether purchasing for resale or buying on behalf of a client, we offer trade discount pricing to:


  • Retail Stores
  • Interior Designers
  • Film & Photo Studios
  • Architects
  • Event Producers

  • For all trade and wholesale enquiries please email us with your contact and business name, company registration number & VAT number (if applicable) to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Prop Hire

    Looking for that one off iconic piece for an event or requiring props for a filming or a photography shoot? You will have seen our oriental antique furniture & decorative art in the James Bond films, The Golden Compass and many others.


    For all prop hire enquiries please send emails to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

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    DISPATCH

    • - Non-furniture Delivery: 2-5 working days

    • - Furniture Delivery: Within 1 - 2 weeks

      (We'll call you to arrange a specific delivery date)

    • Free UK mainland delivery on orders over £250 | Use code "DELIVERY" at checkout

    RETURNS

    • - Hassle Free Returns

    • - Return your order within 28 days for a full refund (excluding delivery charges)

    • - Items must be returned in a resalable condition

    • - Collections can be arranged on request

    • Product Specific delivery charges visible above "Add to Basket" button and in Checkout (scroll up)

    • Additional charges may apply for deliveries to highlands, islands, out of area deliveries and collections. 

    • International Delivery: Please contact us for quotes on individual pieces

    Shipping & Warranty


    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    DISPATCH

    • - Non-furniture Delivery: 2-5 working days

    • - Furniture Delivery: Within 1 - 2 weeks

      (We'll call you to arrange a specific delivery date)

    DELIVERY

    • - Small items: £7.50

    • - Medium Sized items: £15

    • - Fragile Medium items: £20

    • - Small Furniture items: £40

    • - Furniture & Large Items: £80

    RETURNS

    • - Hassle Free Returns within 28 days for a full refund (excluding delivery charges)

    • - If you are not happy with your order, send it back with our delivery drivers. 

    • - Items must be returned in a resalable condition

    • - Collections can be arranged on request

    • Product Specific delivery charges visible above "Add to Basket" button and in Checkout (scroll up)

    • Additional charges may apply for deliveries to highlands, islands, out of area deliveries and collections. 

    • International Delivery: Please contact us for quotes on individual pieces at enquiries@indigo-uk.com, Livechat or calling +44 1672 564722

    Free UK mainland delivery on orders over £250 | Use code "DELIVERY" at checkout

    • GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY ON ALL ANTIQUE PIECES

    • 100% SAFE AND SECURE CHECKOUT WITH SHOPIFY

    • FREE NO QUIBBLE RETURNS

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