Regency English Penwork Cabinet

Extremely Rare Regency Antique Penwork Cabinet

A very interesting and rare Antique Regency Penwork Cabinet decorated with numerous scenes of exquisite detail. This unique piece of furniture showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of the Regency period, an era renowned for its intricate artwork.

The front of the cabinet opens to reveal four drawers which are each beautifully decorated with ancient characters and words. Our interpretation of the scenes is that they represent Indian culture – we believe one of the front panels is painted with the Hindu goddess Kali. A picture of the top panel depicts Rath Yatra, the Chariot Festival celebrated by Hindus. During this festival, thousands of devotees ride on chariots resembling temples in honour of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.

In contrast, the drawers depict a different story. A number of the characters and words that are decorated do not seem to relate to the detailed scenes. In the top two drawers, there appear to be single Chinese (Kanji) words and characters that are not arranged in any logical order. Our understanding is that the bottom two drawers display words that appear to be written in Geez, an ancient language spoken in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

An intriguing mystery surrounds this piece. Perhaps the decoration was to commemorate the owner’s travels or to showcase his knowledge of different cultures. This cabinet provides a fascinating glimpse into the owner’s life.

In our opinion, this beautiful and extremely rare penwork cabinet is one of the finest that we have ever seen or been privileged to own. There is almost a photographic quality to the penwork. There is a working lock and key attached to this fabulous rare penwork cabinet.

An expert translator has provided the following information:

Both drawers at the top display a combination of Chinese characters without any coherent meaning; they are simply single words and do not form phrases or sentences.

The first drawer shows characters that are very difficult to read. We have identified the words “stamp,” “also,” “no,” and “in” but without any apparent cohesion.

There are several words printed on the second drawer, including “light”, “sun”, “sky”, “water”, “wind”, and “shape”.

Several of the remaining words cannot be translated easily since they are written in ancient Chinese script.

In the text, there is no indication that the characters form meaningful phrases or sentences. It is noteworthy that the last two drawers were written in Geez (or Gitz), an ancient liturgical language from Ethiopia and Eritrea that is now extinct. Having consulted a priest with some basic knowledge of the language, it has been determined that the writing refers to “safe keeping” and “locked away”, though the exact meaning is unclear.

Penwork

Penwork, or pen and ink, was used on boxes to illustrate picturesque scenes and, at times, to document a vacation or visit to a foreign country. The prints would often depict people, landscapes, birds, insects, plants, flowers, and animals, as well as stories from Greek mythology or depictions of spa towns. Each of these drawings was very accurately drawn and beautifully varnished with shellac. It is likely that some penwork was commissioned by professional artists. Many of these works were highly detailed, showcasing the skill and expertise of the artist. Penwork was primarily a pastime practised by women (some of whom were just as skilled as the professionals) which explains the presence of so many examples throughout history. These works demonstrate the mastery of the artist in producing intricate details and an attractive finish. This is why the tradition of penwork has been passed down through generations.

Measurements (Centimetres) 31.5 High x 32 Wide × 18 Deep.

Condition report:

Good. Wear consistent with age and use.