A large huanghuali three drawer altar coffer (Liansanchu), Qing dynasty.
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A single panel top set within the wide rectangular frame, flaring flanges, splayed legs of square section enclosing three drawers with a round lock plate above a set of doors with round hinges and lock plates. Length 175.5 cm. Height 90.5 cm. Depth 52.5 cm.
Restored, one lock plate loose. Later round hole inside the cabinet at the lower base.
Provenance
From the collection of Dag Malm (1923-2008). Thence by descent. Dag Malm was born in 1923 in Rahlstadt Germany. His father was a Swedish businessman operating in Argentina and his mother Norwegian. Dag grew up in Germany but moved to Sweden when the Second World War broke out. In 1947 he was employed as an attaché in the Foreign Ministry and had placements in Washington, Tokyo, Beijing and New York. In 1964–1967 he served as ambassador in Kinshasa. In the late 1940’s he works as an attache in Tokio. He is then sent to Beijing were he works with the Swedish Ambassador Thorsten Hammarström (Ambassador of Nanking 1947, and In Beijing from 1950). He writes in his memoires about life in China at the time, how he purchases antiques and art, how the social life was with the other countries delegates. When Sweden appoints Staffan Söderblom as an ambassador, they spend a lot of time with the the British representative Sir Lionel Lamb and his wife sine Staffans wife Marjorie is British and becomes a great friend of theirs. Dag Malm writes that when he leaves China in 1953 he writes to Wai Chou Pu, the ministry of foreign affairs to seek permission to bring furniture and works of art with him. He continues to have a long international diplomatic career, was appointed head of office at the Swedish Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1971, and in 1975 he was inspector of the foreign administration and head of expedition/head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' administrative department 1978–1981. In 1981-88 he was ambassador in Vienna. After his retirement, he settled down in Södermanland, and was often hired as expert adviser and worked with translations. Dag Malm passed away in 2008, age 85.
Exhibitions
Compare with altarcoffers sold at Sothebys, 15th March 2016, lot 51 and 19th September 2015, lot 940.
Compare also two examples sold at Christie’s New York, 19th March 2021, lot 840 and a two-drawer coffer sold 18th March 2015, lot 167.
Compare Sothebys, Chinese Art, Live Auction, New York, 19 March 2024, lot 139.
To see other lots sold from the Dag Malm Collection, see Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, 16 May 2024, a pair of huanghuali cabinets, lot no 71.
Literature
For a discussion and history of the altar coffer form, see Wang Shixiang et al., Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, vol. I, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 92.
Curtis Evarts, 'The Enigmatic Altar Coffer,' Journal of the Classical Chinese Furniture Society, Autumn 1994, pp 29-44.
See, also, a very similar three-drawer coffer illustrated by Robert H. Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture, New York, 1971, p. 163, no. 61.
More information
Long valued for its usefulness for both storage and display, this form has enjoyed international popularity since the late Ming dynasty. The term ‘altar coffer’ was coined by Westerners and likely derived from imagery and accounts describing the surface decorated with offerings and other items used for domestic shrines. Additionally, coffers of larger size have traditionally been utilized at religious sites. However, coffers such as the present example, were versatile, particularly within a domestic setting, and a variety of objects could be stored in its drawers and an array of decorative items graced its long surface.
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.