Early 19th Century Chinese Lacquer Cabinets with Court Scenes – Pair

This striking pair of early 19th-century Chinese black lacquer cabinets is richly painted with elaborate court scenes and floral detailing.  Handcrafted circa 1825 and finished with a vivid cinnabar interior, they offer both visual drama and versatile design potential... stacked, flanking, or side-by-side.

A rare and visually compelling pair of Chinese lacquer cabinets.  Painted with extraordinary artistry, each chest features hand-painted polychrome scenes of palace life, courtyards, architecture, and graceful courtly figures, rendered in rich tones that have softened beautifully with age.

The lacquered surfaces show desirable craquelure and patina, bearing witness to their nearly 200 years of use and admiration. The floral-painted sides and cinnabar red interior add complexity and depth, while the format, low and rectangular, makes these unusually adaptable in a modern setting.  Use them stacked as a bold sculptural statement, side-by-side as a coffee table, or flanking an entry console or bed. Their presence is architectural, painterly, and utterly transportive.

Measurements & Condition Notes

• Dimensions (each): 34.5″ W × 21″ D × 18″ H

• Total height when stacked: 36″ H

• Origin: China

• Period: Early 19th century (circa 1825)

• Materials: Lacquered wood, polychrome pigments

• Condition: Good antique condition with stable wear throughout. Craquelure, minor fading, and losses to lacquer as expected for age. Structurally sound. Original interior and exterior finish.

📚 Collector’s Note

By the early 1800s, lacquered furnishings were produced for both domestic Chinese elites and export markets, often decorated with opulent scenes of Confucian ideals and noble life.  These cabinets are likely scholar’s chests or storage boxes repurposed over time.  Their low form, once utilitarian, now lends itself to inventive use in Western interiors—while preserving their narrative essence. The cinnabar interior is a rare and luxurious touch.

💬 June’s Thoughts

These stopped me in my tracks. There’s a cinematic quality to the scenes, almost like frozen theater.  The faded blacks, the splash of cinnabar red inside, the brushwork, none of it feels like mere decoration. They’re layered with time and meaning. Wherever you place them, they’ll bring history into the room.