Antique Chinese Red Lacquer Wedding Cabinet With Gilt "Hundred Boys" Motif

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Description

A striking antique Chinese wedding cabinet (婚柜), hand-painted in cinnabar red lacquer with intricate gilt decoration depicting the traditional "Hundred … Read more A striking antique Chinese wedding cabinet (婚柜), hand-painted in cinnabar red lacquer with intricate gilt decoration depicting the traditional "Hundred Boys" motif — children at play in a landscape with pagodas, pavilions, and clouds. The Hundred Boys (百子) is one of the most auspicious and sought-after motifs in Chinese decorative art, symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and family harmony.
Likely Republic period (early 20th century), with classic Northern Chinese construction:

Traditional frame-and-panel sides and back with mortise-and-tenon joinery
Dovetailed drawers
Hand-cast brass hardware including the iconic round lock plate and tear-drop pulls, with original verdigris patina
Multiple layers of hand-brushed urushi-style red lacquer with natural wear-through
Two large doors opening to a fitted interior with two shelves and two small interior drawers
Two exterior drawers below with hand-forged bail pulls

Acquired from Chōsen Antiques in Japan in 2005. The back panel was refinished by the dealer prior to original sale (typical Japanese trade practice). Two discreet cable pass-through holes were drilled in the back panel during its time as a media cabinet — easily concealed when placed against a wall.
A genuinely characterful piece with the patina and presence that only comes from age and use. Equally at home as a dramatic focal point in an entryway, a statement bar/media cabinet, or a bedroom armoire. The compact-for-the-form footprint (40" wide) makes it more livable than most antique Chinese cabinets, which often run 50"+ wide.
Dimensions: 65.6"H × 40"W × 19"D
Condition: Very good antique condition. Lacquer shows beautiful natural wear consistent with age — minor chips and gilt loss in places adding to the character. Hardware fully functional. Drawers and doors operate smoothly. Two drilled cable holes in back panel (disclosed above).
Provenance: Acquired from Chōsen Antiques, Japan, 2005.
Local pickup preferred in DFW; white-glove shipping available at buyer's expense via Chairish's shipping partners. See less