Twickenham Probate and House Clearance Solutions
Valuation Of Chinese Cabinet On Stand For Probate Purposes
In a recent probate valuation in Armstrong Road Acton, Middlesex, our probate valuers report includes a 19th century Chinese cabinet on stand valued for probate purposes at £800.
Chattels Valuation Throughout London
Avery Associates regularly carry out probate valuation in London, but it was during a probate valuation of chattels in Albert Road, Twickenham TW1 that the Chinese cabinet on stand was listed. We have also carried out probate valuation in London areas Tottenham, Tulse Hill, Upminster, Upper Norwood, Upton Park and Uxbridge but it was during the probate valuation of house contents in Twickenham, London TW1 that we noted the Chinese cabinet on stand.
About Chinese Furniture
The Chinese own a long and distinguished history of Oriental furniture manufacture that far surpasses other Asian countries. Chinese furniture was commissioned largely by the aristocracy, but was also created for religious, governmental and domestic use. The large populations and crowded cities of most places wealthy enough to own beautiful Chinese and Oriental furniture restricted ownership to those from wealthy and aristocratic families. Most temples and religious venues used Oriental furniture only for storage.
In rural locations, Chinese furniture was constructed of locally available materials, often reeds, bamboo and woven grasses. Interestingly, Central Asian nomadic cultures did not make or use Oriental furniture, however, while other cultures, such as Japan, emphasized the use of Oriental furniture for storage. The preferred cabinet woods in Asia, of Asian furniture, were both softwoods and hardwoods. The use of elm, pine, cypress, cedar, varieties of rosewood and many tropical hardwoods were all used in the manufacture of Asian furniture.
Chinese furniture and Oriental furniture in general, was also constructed of rare and expensive materials, such as bronze, stone and ivory – working with costly material originated from ancient Rome and continued under Byzantine rule. Wood was also used for crafting small utilitarian or decorative objects, of which some were small pieces of Oriental furniture and others works of art. At an early date during the process of crafting Chinese furniture, it was learned that lacquer, a protective sap, could improve the durability of objects created with wood. The Chinese also discovered that by mixing tinted pigments with lacquer, Oriental furniture would not only be protected, but the appearance enhanced as well.
Over time, lacquer artisans developed a broad array of techniques for applying working lacquer to Asian furniture, making it an independent art form. Chinese furniture made of pine or softwoods is often protected by lacquer; most lacquered furniture is burgundy colored, bright red or black. Chinese furniture types are standard forms familiar to most people: chairs, tables, cabinets and beds. But there are some less standard forms of furniture from the Chinese as well, such as garment racks designed for holding long robes, document and other boxes, weiqi containers, games tables and reversible game boards and a variety of circular and rectangular pedestals.
Our valuers always carry out extensive research, so by having our RICS probate valuation we will ensure that the chattels are not under or overvalued.
For a professional, compliant, probate report and to reduce risk and avoid the possibilities of Inheritance Tax Investigation call Avery Associates at our London office for an accurate RICS probate valuation.