Lacquered & Gilded Ancestral Shrine Cabinet 1900

This cabinet, most probably made in northern Guangdong (Canton) in southern China for the Straits Chinese market of Singapore, Penang and Malacca, was
used to house ancestor tablets that honoured the souls of the departed.

It comprises a black lacquer cabinet with two hinged doors with brass fittings. The doors are inset with four carved panels each that have been decorated with
red lacquer and gilding. The carved panels include phoenix motifs and scenes of vases on tables, as well as plum blossoms. Elaborately carved friezes of
flowers are at the top and bottom of the cabinet as well. The cabinet sits on a low foot carved at the front with rococo-like flourishes with gilt highlights.

The doors open to reveal a small lacquer and gilt table on which the ancestor tablets stood, as well as a gilded, carved fringe to the sides and top of the
interior.

The back of the interior is decorated with a black and gold backdrop as if it is a Chinese screen. This is beautifully decorated with a mountain, stream and hut
scene.