Name: Red Lacquer Zhejiang Wedding Cabinet - 19th Century
Brand: Indigo Antiques
SKU: C2668
Price: 3450.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Angled View Of Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Internal View Of Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Drawer Detail Of Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Close Up Of Iron Lock From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Paintwork Detail From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Motif Detail From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Ironwork Detail From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Handle Detail From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Doors From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Corner Detail From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

Stacking Detail From Red Lacquer Two Part Wedding Cabinet With Floral Motifs And Butterfly Lock From Zhejiang 19th Century

SKU: C2668 19th Century, from Zhejiang, China

£3,450 ^{Inc Tax.}

Dimensions:: W116 x D47 x H173 cm
Quality:: Every piece restored & checked in UK
: £80 (4-8 working days)
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A richly patinated, two-part bridal cabinet from Zhejiang, South China, finished in deep cinnabar-red lacquer. Presented as part of a bride’s dowry, wedding cabinets like this balanced generous storage with layers of auspicious meaning—the glowing red surface signalling joy, prosperity and enduring good fortune for the new household.

Delicate hand-painted blossoms and birds enliven the doors, framed by original ironwork: an elegant butterfly-form upper lock plate engraved with bats, a circular lower lockplate for harmony, and fish-form brass latches for abundance. Built in two stacking sections for ease of transport and use, the interior offers shelves and drawers for clothing, textiles and treasured possessions.

Origin: Zhejiang Province, China
Date: 19th Century (Qing dynasty)
Materials: Cypress wood (柏木, bǎimù) with red lacquer; original hand-forged iron and brass fittings
Construction: Two-part stack; framed-and-panelled doors; interior shelves and drawers
Decoration: Painted floral sprays and songbirds; butterfly-form hasp with bat engravings; circular lower lockplate; fish-form latches
Condition: Excellent antique condition with natural craquelure and age-related wear that deepen the surface and character

Symbolism Explained

Red lacquer (红漆, hóng qī): The wedding colour in China, conveying happiness, vitality, prosperity and protection against misfortune.
Butterfly (蝴蝶, húdié): A classical emblem of romantic love and joy, wishing a marriage of enduring affection.
Bats (蝠/福, fú): A homophone for “blessings” (fú), invoking good fortune for the new household.
Fish (鱼/余, yú): A pun for “surplus” (yú), expressing the wish for abundance year after year—“年年有余”.
Circular lockplate (合, hé): The round form signifies harmony, completeness and unity between partners and family.
Bird-and-flower painting (花鸟, huāniǎo): A genre celebrating the joys of domestic life, seasonal renewal and natural beauty—apt blessings for a new marriage.
References: See Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques by K Mazurkewich, Fig 535 for a similar example

A fine Zhejiang bridal cabinet in 柏木 (bǎimù) where every motif carries a clear wish for love, prosperity and harmony—an heirloom that unites symbolism and craftsmanship.

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Restored in Our UK Workshop

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Using traditional techniques and the highest quality mineral pigments, each piece leaves our workshop only after receiving the highest level of craftsmanship, precision and care.