of tall rectangular form, with a pair of doors comprised of a single board and two-board flush, tongue and grooved, floating panels of standard mitered, mortise and tenon construction, the top panels, the sideboards of one panel, and backboard panels tongue and grooved, the interior enclosing sixteen drawers centered by a rectangular two-door niche, the drawers of softwood with huanghuali fronts, paktong bail handles, mounts at the top corners, flush-mounted hinges and rectangular lock plate with two pull handles and  locking pin, all supported on a conforming molded base (2)

There is expected wear to the surface overall, some staining to the top panels, there is some splitting to the side panels, there has been general consolidation and it is likely that the separate base is a later replacement. There is characteristic wear, expected consolidation to the joinery, minor repairs and possible replacements, all consistent with age and use. Please note that this lot will require a CITES permit for export outside the United States.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Cabinets of this size and form are generally described as traveling bookcases if the interior contains shelves, and as apothecary chests if there are numerous drawers, as in the present example. The large size and luxurious hardwood render these forms quite heavy and not easy to move, and thus they are often described as table cabinets.  In fact the drawers could have been used to store a variety of things from treasured scholarly objects to cosmetics and accessories. See a similar example illustrated by Wang Shixiang, Classic Chinese Furniture: Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 1986, pl. 159. Another example of smaller size is illustrated in Grace Wu, The Best of the Best, The MQJ Collection of Ming Furniture, vol. 2., Hong Kong, 2017, pp. 334-5. See also a related cabinet, a traveling bookcase with side posts and top rail, in the Minneapolis Museum of Art, illustrated in Robert D. Jacobsen with Nicholas Grindley, Classical Chinese Furniture in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, 1999, pl. 70. An apothecary cabinet with twenty-eight drawers, formerly from the Jingguantang Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 21st September 2004, another of the same form but slightly smaller and with thirteen drawers from the collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth sold in these rooms 30th March 2006, lot 118. A bookcase of similar form, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Piccus, sold at Christie's, New York, 18th September 1997, lot 75.