Bureau
1730 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bureau cabinet was made in Canton (Guangzhou) in southern China, which in the 18th century became the principal – and later the only – trading port at which Europeans were permitted to buy Chinese goods. A formalised commercial system developed there, and Chinese merchants and artisans became increasingly familiar with western tastes and demands.
The elaborate design of this cabinet shows how Chinese craftsmen were able to master the complex forms of western furniture, although in its arrangement of compartments and drawers the upper section of the cabinet is more Asian in style. The palette of black and gold is not typically Chinese but imitates Japanese lacquer, which was expensive and difficult to procure in the 18th century. The cabinet features typical lacquer decoration of natural themes such as flowers, animals and landscape scenes, which would have had exotic appeal in the West.
The elaborate design of this cabinet shows how Chinese craftsmen were able to master the complex forms of western furniture, although in its arrangement of compartments and drawers the upper section of the cabinet is more Asian in style. The palette of black and gold is not typically Chinese but imitates Japanese lacquer, which was expensive and difficult to procure in the 18th century. The cabinet features typical lacquer decoration of natural themes such as flowers, animals and landscape scenes, which would have had exotic appeal in the West.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 6 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Wood covered in black lacquer with red lacquer decoration |
| Brief description | Woo, China, lacquer, painted Woo, China, lacquer, painted Woo, China, lacquer, painted Woo, China, lacquer, painted part, Woo, China, lacquer, painted part, Woo, China, lacquer, painted |
| Physical description | Bureau cabinet in two parts; the lower section, a bureau, consists of three drawers surmounted by a hinged flap which encloses a fitted interior with numerous drawers and compartments; the upper section with doubled-domed doors enclosing numerous drawers and compartments with a cornice above composed of two confronting scrolls with an eagle on a shell at centre. Black lacquer with gold lacquer decoration of landscape scenes and foliage. |
| Dimensions |
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| Summary | This bureau cabinet was made in Canton (Guangzhou) in southern China, which in the 18th century became the principal – and later the only – trading port at which Europeans were permitted to buy Chinese goods. A formalised commercial system developed there, and Chinese merchants and artisans became increasingly familiar with western tastes and demands. The elaborate design of this cabinet shows how Chinese craftsmen were able to master the complex forms of western furniture, although in its arrangement of compartments and drawers the upper section of the cabinet is more Asian in style. The palette of black and gold is not typically Chinese but imitates Japanese lacquer, which was expensive and difficult to procure in the 18th century. The cabinet features typical lacquer decoration of natural themes such as flowers, animals and landscape scenes, which would have had exotic appeal in the West. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.28:1 to 6-1935 |
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| Record created | February 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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