An extremely rare, possibly unique, Chinese export lacquer bureau for the Dutch market
Canton, circa 1737
H. 118 x W. 102.5 x D. 63 cm
Provenance:
- Private collection, The Netherlands
- J.K. Driessen Antiques, Arnhem (Art Fair Breda, 1989)
- Noble collection, Belgium
Literature:
- C.J.A. Jörg, ’De handel van de V.O.C. in Oosters lakwerk in de 18de eeuw’ in: Nederlands Kunsthistorisch Jaarboek , Jr. 31 (1980), pp. 355-363 (ill.)
- Annigje Hofstede, Nederlandse meubelen van Barok tot Biedermeier, 1700-1830, Waanders, Zwolle 2004, pp. 35-37 (ill.)
This lacquer bureau is one of the four writing desks purchased in Canton in 1737, and as far as is known, this is the only remaining bureau of its type from the period. As the VOC believed that large pieces of import took up too much valuable space in their trading ships...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Cypress Furniture
MaterialsWood, Cypress, Lacquer