PRINT This lot comprises two main registers resting on four short feet, the upper register with two layers of open cuboid cabinets of varying sizes, one surmounted by a pierced upright balustrade border, the other with various angular upright scroll borders, all supported on a chest of two horizontal drawers and four scroll feet, the reverse and sides of the lower register carved with angular scrollwork, one drawer decorated with a bronze knob, the other carved in relief of elaborate floral.Small cabinets of this type were designed for the emperor's unsurpassed collection of antiques, fine contemporary ceramics, small scholar's rocks and other miniature works of art. They appear to have developed from Ming dynasty bookcases, often modelled with several drawers used for storing writing materials. Asymmetrical shelves, which are often found depicted in contemporary woodblock illustrations and paintings, were a Qing innovation.
This lot comprises two main registers resting on four short feet, the upper register with two layers of open cuboid cabinets of varying sizes, one surmounted by a pierced upright balustrade border, the other with various angular upright scroll borders, all supported on a chest of two horizontal drawers and four scroll feet, the reverse and sides of the lower register carved with angular scrollwork, one drawer decorated with a bronze knob, the other carved in relief of elaborate floral.Small cabinets of this type were designed for the emperor's unsurpassed collection of antiques, fine contemporary ceramics, small scholar's rocks and other miniature works of art. They appear to have developed from Ming dynasty bookcases, often modelled with several drawers used for storing writing materials. Asymmetrical shelves, which are often found depicted in contemporary woodblock illustrations and paintings, were a Qing innovation.
This lot comprises two main registers resting on four short feet, the upper register with two layers of open cuboid cabinets of varying sizes, one surmounted by a pierced upright balustrade border, the other with various angular upright scroll borders, all supported on a chest of two horizontal drawers and four scroll feet, the reverse and sides of the lower register carved with angular scrollwork, one drawer decorated with a bronze knob, the other carved in relief of elaborate floral.Small cabinets of this type were designed for the emperor's unsurpassed collection of antiques, fine contemporary ceramics, small scholar's rocks and other miniature works of art. They appear to have developed from Ming dynasty bookcases, often modelled with several drawers used for storing writing materials. Asymmetrical shelves, which are often found depicted in contemporary woodblock illustrations and paintings, were a Qing innovation.