A rare and beautiful example of a Chinese Export lacquer Dressing Mirror 1790-1800. Made for the American and European Market. A similar example can be found in the Metropolitan Museum, New York (The Met Fifth Avenue). Illustrated in Carl Crossman, ‘The Decorative Arts of the China Trade’, London, 1991. Consisting of a gilded oval mirror with original mercury glass, held by curved decorated arms above a stepped serpentine front base with two pairs of long drawers on bracket feet.
The black lacquer decoration features vines, grapes, butterflies and tiny birds while back of the piece is also illuminated by floral hand painted decoration.