Williamson Auction
Live Auction

Auction 52, Are You Feeling Lucky? March 17th, 2026

Tue, Mar 17, 2026 12:00PM EDT
Lot 670

Vintage Chinese Lacquered Jewelry Chest with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

Estimate: $175 - $350

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$150 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$4,000 $500
$15,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000

Description

This exquisite lacquered wood jewelry chest features a striking dark forest-green finish with a textured "needle-point" or "starburst" pattern under the glaze. The exterior is meticulously decorated with hand-painted gilt floral motifs and shimmering mother-of-pearl (nacre) inlays depicting songbirds and blooming peonies, symbolizing prosperity and romance.

The chest is a marvel of traditional functional design, featuring:

  • A Hinged Top Lid: Opens to reveal a large, red-lined storage compartment and a built-in vanity mirror.

  • Dual Front Doors: Secured by a traditional brass latch, the doors swing open to reveal three tiered drawers, all lined in vibrant red fabric for protecting fine jewelry.

  • Brass Hardware: Includes a decorative circular side handle, ornate front butterfly-style latches, and the original functional brass padlock and key set.

  • Artistic Detail: The back and sides of the chest are also finished with gold-painted bamboo and floral sprays, ensuring the piece looks beautiful from every angle.

Dimensions

  • Height: 10 in

  • Length: 14 in

  • Width: 9 in

Condition Report

The piece is in very good vintage condition. The lacquer retains a high gloss with minor age-appropriate surface wear. The mother-of-pearl inlays are intact, and the brass hardware shows a natural patina. The interior red lining is clean and vibrant.

Keywords

Vintage Chinese Jewelry Box Lacquerware Mother of Pearl Inlay Chinoiserie Asian Art Tansu Chest Red Silk Lining Brass Hardware Lock and Key Peony Floral Motif Songbird Gilt Detail Hand Painted Large Jewelry Organizer Mid-Century Oriental Decor Vanity Mirror Storage Cabinet

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

Shipping

For shipping assistance, we recommend contacting the following trusted professionals:

UPS Store: Phone 954-963-7134 Email store0288@theupsstore.com website

theupsstore.com/0288

Alternatively, we can provide additional recommendations for third-party shipping

services. All items will be shipped within 10 business days after payment has cleared.

Items must be picked up within 10 business days following the auction. Items not

collected within this timeframe will be placed in storage at a fee of $10.00 per item per day.