A vertical workshop drawing of a two-door lacquer cabinet on an elaborate stand, surrounded by handwritten construction notes and decorated with small East Asian-style landscapes.

ca. 1720–30 · Pen and black ink with gray and brown wash

Design for a Chinese-style Lacquer Cabinet

Anonymous German designer, in the manner of Martin Schnell

Why it matters

The annotated drawing turns lacquer landscapes into a detailed European furnishing specification. It records how demand for Asian luxury materials encouraged local imitation and the redesign of entire interiors.

Publication
Workshop design for a commissioned cabinet
Holding institution
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Shelfmark
60.576.11
Rights
Public domain; released through The Met Open Access programme

Anonymous German designer, in the manner of Martin Schnell. Design for a Chinese-style Lacquer Cabinet, ca. 1720–30. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 60.576.11.