Black Lacquer Four Flowers Coffer

This 19th-century altar coffer displays many traditional elements of Chinese cabinetry, such as its overhung, floating panel top flanked by curving spandrels or its painted doors secured with round brass hardware. The cabinet face is beautifully painted with vases filled with flowers of the four seasons, including chrysanthemums for autumn, lotus for summer, peonies for spring and camellia for winter. Together, these flowers convey a blessing of wealth and honor year-round. Centuries of use have softened the once-vibrant gilt paintings to an atmospheric facade of pale color and timeworn texture.