Red-lacquered Two-tiered Cabinet with Mother-of-pearl Inlay

This two-tiered cabinet is decorated in red-lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay. It consists of upper and lower compartments which were used to store items such as clothing or fabrics. This furniture was usually placed in a woman’s main room. In particular, the rooms where the royal ladies lived were often furnished with bright furniture, colorfully decorated with mother-of-pearl and ox horn. This two-tiered cabinet was first painted in red lacquer, then decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay of the Ten Longevity Symbols, flower and bird designs, mountain and water designs, and treasure patterns. The corners, hinges and handles of the cabinet was further adorned with the ornaments of copper-nickel alloy.