Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912) China Cabinet carved red lacquer and gilded pine

This exquisitely carved red lacquer and gilded pine cabinet is rich with narrative, plant and animal symbols and border motifs. The horizontal panels are carved with figures and symbols reading from left to right in four rows. The first row depicts a story of ‘happy retirement’, the second an episode from the Chinese historical novel ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, plant and animal symbols representing the four seasons make the third row and the fourth row shows series of images of immortals and animals, including a pair of cranes, which represent longevity.

There are various motifs on the upper and lower borders of the cabinet which represent five wishes; affluence, longevity, success, progeny (having children) and joy.

The overall themes of the richly ornamented cabinet are wishes for wealth, success, joy, honour and longevity. The cabinet would have been considered a precious item of furniture and would have been placed within a room used by male members of the family as the panels express social honour, success and longevity.