A Massive Cloisonne Enamel Icebox and Covers, 19th century, ...

Estimate

£5,000 - £7,000

A Massive Cloisonne Enamel Icebox and Covers, 19th century, of slightly flared form and square section, the cloisonne fitted on two of the sides with double gilt bronze swing handles, between two horizontal moulded red enamel borders, which correspond to retaining battens on a wooden original, and the whole elegantly decorated overall on a turquoise field with alternating red, black and yellow seal forms of 'shou' and other auspicious characters in contrasting forms, the cover in two rectangular sections, each of them set with double gilt bronze 'cash' shaped cooling apertures, the whole icebox lined with wood, and with a dark hardwood stand, possibly in zitan, carved with archaic 'c' scrolls in low relief. A Qianlong mark and period icebox of the same form in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is included as catalogue no.129 on page 134 of 'The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum', volume 43, 'Metal Bodied Enamel Ware', Hong Kong 2002. The icebox was an important and highly luxurious piece of Palace furniture in summer, keeping rooms cool in the blazing summer heat, and was also splendid for chilling cold food and fruit. W:68cm.

More Information

Good condition overall, very minor denting corners