19th Century Zitan Lantern with Yellow Silk Lining

A Chinese zitan lantern, Qing Dynasty 19th century the finely…
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A Chinese zitan lantern, Qing Dynasty 19th century the finely carved rectangular zitan lantern has an open frame lined with yellow silk, with one side hinged as a door, and is surmounted by a pierced gallery and openwork lappet border on the shoulder. The whole is raised on a flared base carved in openwork with a lappet border and supported on a pierced octagonal foot. 33 cm. High, 20.3 cm. Wide, 20.3 cm. Deep. Provenance: Michael D. Stevenson (1947-2011) collection Christie's New York, 28/10/2014, lot 59

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  • Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.

  • Lappet Decoration - In the context of furniture, ceramics, and oriental wares, the word "lappet" refers to a decorative motif that consists of a repeated pattern of stylized or abstracted "lappets."

    A lappet in this context is a decorative element that resembles a small, hanging flap of cloth or fabric, but rather are stylized patterns that resemble the shapes and folds of lappets. They can be found on a wide range of objects, including furniture, vases, bowls, and plates.

    Lappet decoration can take many different forms, but typically consists of a series of semi-circular or pointed shapes that are repeated in a continuous pattern. The shapes may be simple or highly ornate and may be arranged in a regular or irregular pattern. The design may also include other decorative elements, such as floral or foliate motifs.

    Lappet decoration is often associated with Asian design traditions, and can be found on a wide range of objects from these regions, including Chinese porcelain, where lappet decoration is often used as a symbol of abundance and prosperity, and is believed to have protective and auspicious qualities.
  • Zitan Wood - Zitan is the most expensive, and since ancient times, has been considered the most precious of woods.

    Zitan wood is the hardest and heaviest of all hardwoods. It is purplish-black to black in colour, and with a grain so dense it is virtually invisible.

    Zitan can usually only be obtained in quite narrow strips and so it is rare to find large pieces of furniture made from this wood. True Chinese rosewood is a variety of zitan and is very rare.
  • Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.