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Unusual Pair of Chinese Red Cinnabar Lacquer Five Claw-Dragon Pedestals/Stools
$15,840per set
$19,800per set20% Off
£11,963.43per set
£14,954.29per set20% Off
€13,819.62per set
€17,274.53per set20% Off
CA$22,316.31per set
CA$27,895.38per set20% Off
A$23,900.77per set
A$29,875.96per set20% Off
CHF 12,848.89per set
CHF 16,061.11per set20% Off
MX$290,288.82per set
MX$362,861.03per set20% Off
NOK 162,351.98per set
NOK 202,939.97per set20% Off
SEK 148,645.31per set
SEK 185,806.63per set20% Off
DKK 103,257.83per set
DKK 129,072.29per set20% Off
About the Item
A Fantastic and Quite Unusual Pair of Very Fine Chinese Red Cinnabar Lacquer Five Claw-Dragon Pedestals. These pedestals are square in form with slightly recessed tops, raised on four cabriole legs connected by low stretchers. The tops are carved in deep relief with three five-claw dragons in pursuit of the flaming pearl, set among swirling clouds and floral scrolls. Each dragon is shown with a scaled body, extended claws, and a fierce head turned toward the central pearl, their forms filling the entire surface with movement. The sides continue with further dragons among dense cloud scrolls, while the legs and stretchers are decorated with continuous dragon and floral patterns. Borders of key-fret, petal motifs and auspicious clouds enclose the carved surfaces, framing the design across all sections of the pedestals.
Red cinnabar lacquer was created through the process of applying hundreds of thin layers of lacquer, each mixed with cinnabar, a mineral form of mercury sulfide that produces a brilliant red pigment. Every layer was applied, dried, and polished before the next was added, eventually building up a surface thick enough to allow deep carving. Once complete, artisans cut into the lacquer to reveal detailed designs, with the multiple layers giving tonal variation and depth to the finished relief. The result is a surface of rich red color, a tone long associated with high rank, prosperity, and auspiciousness in Chinese culture.
The five-claw dragon, the dominant motif on these pedestals, is directly linked to imperial authority. In Ming and Qing dynasty regulations, only the emperor was permitted to use the five-clawed dragon as a symbol, while four- and three-clawed versions were reserved for princes and officials of lower rank. The dragons are frequently shown chasing the flaming pearl, a motif representing wisdom, prosperity, and enlightenment. Their repeated presence across the tops, sides, legs, and bases of these pedestals underscores the centrality of this symbol in Chinese decorative art. The combination of labor-intensive cinnabar lacquer carving and the exclusive five-claw dragon imagery firmly connects these works with the traditions of the imperial court and emphasizes their cultural importance within the hierarchy of Chinese decorative objects.
Chinese, Circa: 1890
Dimensions:
Height: 16 in.
Width: 14.5 in.
Depth: 14.5 in.
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Depth: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Qing (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Lacquer,Lacquered
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1890
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU919546815122
About the Seller
4.9
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Established in 1820
1stDibs seller since 2011
200 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: New York, NY
- Return Policy
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