Featured Antique Chinese Cinnabar Table

I've very recently acquired a Chinese cinnabar lacquer table. I assume that it perhaps dates from the late 19th or early 20th century and measures c.75cm high and max. c.40cm wide. The lacquer is in four colours (cinnabar red, black, brown and bronze) which perhaps may be unusual.
The table has a black painted(?)/lacquered which has slightly lifted in a couple of small places, although the table itself seems to be in pretty good condition.
However, it's pretty dusty and may perhaps benefit from being spruced up a little, but nothing drastic of course. I've found limited advice on the net regarding cleaning such larger items (more usually cinnabar jewelry, etc), which seems to be limited to using a damp cloth with minimum soapy water.
I'd be grateful to hear if anyone else has cleaned cinnabar and may perhaps be able and willing to pass on any useful tips.

Thank you in advance for any help whatsoever !

 

What a stunning piece!! As for cleaning, I'm not sure, but for something this delicate, I wouldn't use anything more than warm soapy water, very lightly applied. Certainly nothing that would cause damage, like excessively hot water, or strong cleaning-chemicals.

 

Outrageously desirable...Thanks for the post!
I'm a dummy about furniture, especially Asian...but I wonder if there may be a signature somewhere on or under it?

 

I wouldn't use anything on it.
From what I see, it isn't carved cinnabar lacquer, but cinnabar lacquer applied to a carved or molded material. That material was often plaster.

When cinnabar lacquer is carved, you see the layering of multiple coats of cinnabar. Carving cuts through those coats, which is why you can see layers. I don't see that on your beautiful table.

If any liquid seeps through minute cracks in the lacquer, it could do irreparable damage.

A word of advice, air the room this table is in frequently. Cinnabar is toxic.

 

Stiftgasse, this is what I mean by the layers that are visible on carved cinnabar lacquer:



And this is a thread with a cinnabar lacquer on plaster item, where you can see the plaster under the cinnabar:

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/cinnabar-lacquer-on-bronze-plate-how-old.26905/#post-358700

 

nice table though...

 

Certainly, and also a nice value, I should think.

 

Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for your generous comments.

I've had a closer look at the table and agree with Any Jewelry that the decoration is probably lacquer applied over a carved or moulded surface. There is no 'graining' to be seen using a 10x loupe. Also the decoration seems to lack the 'crispness' that I've seen on other - usually smaller - items, like some cinnabar vases. However, as the table has no broken or missing decoration, it is not easy for me to determine what lies under the lacquer surface.
Further to the comments from wl whittier, I've checked for any sign of a signature or mark, but without success. The underside of the table, which has a coating of black lacquer over the wood carcase, bears only a scribbled chalk name of possibly a previous owner. The table itself seems to be relatively light, whilst it's construction seems to be relatively crude when compared to the ornate decoration.

As regards cleaning, I'll initially try using an old used toothbrush, though it's probably going to take some time (and patience!). For safety I'll be doing this outside, and use a mask just to be extra sure!

Thank you all once again for taking the time to reply.

 

Yes, with carving you get sharper angles. With cinnabar over a molded base you get a softer look.

Chinese furniture is rarely signed or marked. Generally it isn't something to look for, although older export furniture from Shanghai and Hongkong can have a manufacturer's or retailer's plaque.

 

That's the kind of mark I had in mind, AJ...rather than an artisanal chop.