Overvalued/Undervalued: Asia Week at Sotheby's

Chinese Cabinets: Undervalued?
At over nine feet tall, these monumental cabinets from the Qing Dynasty are a rarity, says Ming furniture dealer Marcus Flacks. According to the London-born, Manhattan-based gallerist, these sorts of large 17th- and 18th-century cabinets frequently have condition issues. There can be “lots of replaced pieces,” says Flacks, who has not examined this particular pair. “Sometimes they are made of reused timber.”

Though these cabinets have been rejigged (portions of one have been removed to install hangar rods), the wood surfaces are extremely attractive and include “ghosting,” the classic wood pattern frequently found on high-quality huanghuali pieces. And the size of the objects makes them perfect for a hedgefunder’s loft.

“The estimate is low,” Flacks points out. “If they were an A/B pair, they would be in the $250,000 to $350,000 range, and could be more.” He believes that “the estimate is trying not to scare the impulse/decorating buyer away.”



Pair of huanghuali compound cabinets, Qing Dynasty, 17th century. Est. $100,000 to 150,000.
Lot 79, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art,
Sept. 18

Courtesy Sotheby's