19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquered Sewing Chest
An outstanding 19th Century japanned sewing chest with exquisite gilt decoration, raised on paw feet with the original brass swan neck carrying handles. This stunning chinoiserie design illustrates Chinese dignitaries in a garden surrounded by imposing dwellings and attended by numerous servants. This scene is framed with a dramatic border of dragons and birds. This 19th Century chest has canted and rounded corners depicting scenes of domestic life surrounded by flowers and scrolls, this design is continued round the front, sides and back of the chest. The lid, with working lock and key, lifts to reveal a tray with various removable compartments and the lower drawer, which also locks, houses further beautifully decorated lidded compartments. Inside the chest there a numerous sewing implements, possibly in bone, there is also a selection of antique buttons, still attached to their card. The condition of this antique chest is extremely good, there has been a historic repair to one foot, this is not evident without careful examination. The base of the lower drawer has a small surface crack to the lacquer, which is not easily visible as it is inside and this does not affect the drawers strength. The lacquer work and surface decoration is in really lovely condition, with only minor areas of light wear as you would expect from an antique box, the quality of this work is outstanding. This is a really beautiful antique chinoiserie box that could be used as a jewellery box or as a fabulous decorative display item in any room.
c. 1870
Length: 14.5" (37cm)
Depth: 10.25" (26cm)
Height: 6.5" (16.5cm)
Ref: D340
