Description
This is a beautiful blonde colored lacquer finish Asian style liquor cabinet. It has bas-relief oriental scenes and characters, hand painted and mother of pearl. The top opens for drink preparation, and there are several compartments for bottles, stemmed glasses, and other items. (See photos) I have found several similar pieces, but they are all black lacquer instead of the blonde, are all from the early 1960's and are priced between $1500 and $2500.
I am the second owner, obtaining it as part of a house purchase in 1980. The seller owned a high end Oriental collectibles shop, but was retiring to an apartment. So all her best furniture came with the house. She said it was made in the 1940's.
Re: Asian style liquor cabinet with mother of pearl scenes
Very cool piece Dan ...
In my investigation I would say this is a Asian Inspired piece of American furniture from the Early Modern - Post Modern Era of furniture. Circa late 1940's but most likely early 1950's. The wood looks to me like birch from the pictures.
Asian pieces as you stated are almost always dark stained. The thing that points this back to America is that Asian pieces have almost always extensive carving and the reason being it showed thier craftsmanship. There they could pay people a few cents an hour if that much ... to produce high quality carvings.
Recently I had an opportunity to appraise a piece of Asian carving (mantal) that I could date back to the Opium Wars in China ... It was an amazing piece but it had a lot of damage. My valuation of it was $1500 - $1750 CDN ... the owner a little disapointed but appreciated the history of the piece. He had paid $750 for it so he still came out ahead.
Because of the uniqueness of this piece it may provide a demand to a different market.
My estimate value would be in the $600 - $750 US range. Over time I could see the value of this piece increasing. Markets with these pieces of furniture fluctuate a lot.
Please pour me a drink ... thanks for sharing ... Cheers
Thomas J. Gordyn
Certified Proffessional Appraiser - AIOA
Proud Member of The American Numismatic Association
Re: Asian style liquor cabinet with mother of pearl scenes
Thomas, sir...very cool response...
Excellent feedback. All makes sense...in searching online for similar pieces, only found one like mine. But many others with dark wood and carving...
Drink poured...Sláinte...Dan O
Re: Asian style liquor cabinet with mother of pearl scenes
Thanks for the drink Dan ... I have been thinking about your piece ,,, I believe it is more Japanese influeced post WWII. The Samuri is (slim compared to Chinese ones) and the bowing shows respect and perhaps surrender. Peace Always Tom