Chamber of Time
Based on the origin of the Nordic-style tambour cabinet, the work “Chamber of Time” showcases the meticulous and lively wood carving skills of Master Siu Ping Keung and the woodworking craftsmanship of Ken Chow, which integrates the concept of “cabinet in cabinet”. Upon opening the exterior tambour doors, scenes from the Ming and Qing dynasties are depicted on the interior pair of door panels decorated with Master Siu’s superb relief carving. The panels present an immersive three-dimensional vision through compression distortion and perspective transformation as if in real life. The table and chairs on the left panel interchange with the peony on the right panel. The miniature of this cabinet placed on the table in the right panel gives an illusion of “cabinet within a picture; picture within a cabinet”.
The panel on the drawer is engraved with an auspicious motif of “a bat holding a coin,” symbolizing a fruitful and prosperous life. This motif was once commonly seen on the signboards of pawn shops in Hong Kong, representing wealth and fortune in Chinese tradition.
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