Sideboard; China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.

Sideboard; China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.
Lacquered wood, polychrome and copper fittings.
It presents faults, restorations and slight losses of the lacquer.
Measurements: 156 x 102 x 42 cm.
Large sideboard structured in two bodies with differentiated compartments. It presents a surface entirely covered by black lacquer on which a polychrome and gilded decoration of remarkable complexity is developed. In the upper part there are compositions of vases with flowers and precious objects, motifs associated with blossoming, erudition and good fortune, framed in lobed contour reserves.
The lower area concentrates the greatest visual force with the representation of imperial dragons with five claws, in dynamic movement among stylized clouds. These creatures, symbols of cosmic power and the emperor's supreme authority, emerge in a space of great vitality, accompanied by flaming pearls that evoke wisdom and immortality. The whole is topped by a base decorated with mountains and plant motifs, symbols of stability and connection with the natural order.
The copper fittings reinforce the structure and provide a chromatic contrast to the dark lacquer, as well as pointing out the importance that metal had in the finishing of prestigious furniture. Despite the flaws, restorations and slight losses in the lacquer layer, the piece retains its decorative power and narrative capacity, showing the expertise of Chinese workshops in the art of lacquering, which reached exceptional refinement during the Qing dynasty.