18th/19th C. Chinese Jewelry Vault

Description

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This superb piece of cabinetry is beautifully dovetailed in its case as well as its drawers. The precious wood in the drawers is figural and overall the piece is the work of a master craftsman. What we have come to believe is that it probably was once a secret cabinet for an empress used in a palace dressing room. The key that operated it is missing, although we are told one could be made to fit it. When the bottom drawer is locked, the handle-less upper two drawers cannot be opened. Upon unlocking the bottom drawer, one reaches in and above to activate the opening of the middle drawer. Once that drawer is open, fingering in the same way to the upper drawer frees it to open. Although an empress or any high ranking lady would be surrounded by trusted servants, the use of a secret box for jewels would certainly be delicious. This is an outstanding Chinese artifact in unusually superb condition.
Size is 10-1/4" wide by 11-5/8" tall by 10-1/4" deep (
26 cm
by
29.5 cm
by
26 cm
).
#1129