Description A pair of Korean mother of pearl-inlaid lacquered wood chests
19th Century
Each chest with shaped metal brackets along the edges, a pair of metal bail handles at the sides, the chests fronted with inlaid hexagonal "tortoise" patterns, centered by two doors with hexilobe metal mounts, both doors of each cabinet decorated with inlaid pavilion scenes and inscriptions in Chinese script, the interior with two additional sliding wood doors, both chests with later applied D-form base supports (2).
H: 17 1/2, W: 30 1/2, D: 14 1/4 in. (without applied stands)
PROVENANCE:
Mr. Owen Nickerson Denny (1838-1900), Consul General to China (1877-1884), and advisor to the Korean court (circa 1885-1890), said to have been presented to Denny by the Empress of China.
J.D de Vries, New York
Mr. H. L. Simmons, New York, acquired from the above, February 9, 1939
Thence by descent to the present owner
NOTE: While provenance in 1939 was said to have been a gift to Denny from the Empress of China, as the chests are Korean and he was an advisor to the Korean Emperor circa 1885-1890, these are more likely to have been acquired or received as a gift during his Korean sojourn. For another inlaid example of this form, see Michael C. Hughes, "An Important Collection of Chinese, Korean and Ryukyuan Lacquer", Hong Kong, 2006, p. 89, no 72. For a pair of inlaid stacked chests of similar form in the collection of the Koryo University Museum, see Edward Reynolds Wright and Man Sill Pai, "Korean Furniture, Elegance and Tradition", Japan, 1986, p. 63, no 45.
Condition Report One chest with with upper left hinge of door loose, both sets of doors with small splits to wood where hinges join, sunwear/darker vase ring to top; front surface of finish darker than other, lower center edge mount loose, small losses of inlay of right door; lower back corner and two lower back metal edge mounts lost; second with lost metal mount at center bottom edge, damage to paper of out doors; both with scattered surface dings, scratches and abrasions with associated losses and wear to lacquer, losses of a few caps to screws of later stands; overall surace soiling and small losses to inlay; wear and staining to inner paper. Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Freeman's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Freeman's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Freeman's. For that reason, Freeman's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.
