Inlaid Chinese Boys Table Cabinet with Mother of Pearl

A large inlaid hardwood Chinese 'boys' canted top table cabinet, of rectangular form with hinged lid, joined by a chain to one side and opening to reveal a tray like compartment above the doors opening to two pairs of short drawers and a long drawer, the doors inlaid in Mother of pearl and various hardstones with six boys at play between confronted dragons on the cover and base, the top with a further six boys surrounding a Qilin on a pedestal, and set with two inscribed plaques, one with an apocryphal four-character seal mark of Qianlong, the sides set with C-shaped handles, baitong mounts, 15.94 in. high, 15.75 in. wide, 11.42 in. deep

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Kylin or Qilin - A kylin or qilin is a mythical Chinese animal, dating back to the 5th century with the head of a dragon, the body of a deer and the tail of a lion. It is a regarded as a good omen bringing serenity and prosperity, and is said to appear with the coming or departure of a wise sage or illustrious ruler.

It is also part of the culture of Korea and Japan.

As well as being represented in bronze and jade, it is also used as a decorative motif on ceramics.
Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Chinese furniture, chairs - chairs, dragon carved 273
Chinese furniture, tables
- table top cabinets 14
- tables 402
- tables, hall and side 227
Chinese furniture, type or function - storage cabinets 629