The famous cabinet of miniatures (Miniaturenkabinet) in the Munich Residenz, built in 1731-1732 according to François Cuvilliés's designs, was destroyed in World War II; only two wings of the doors and the shutters survive. The state of preservation of the original red lacquer on the doors is excellent. This paper is on the results of the investigation of the build-up of the lacquer, the binding materials, the dyestuffs and the pigments. Research revealed that the details of the red lacquering of the Cabinet of Minatures were typical of 18th century German lacquer-work. The study offered a perfect opportunity for finding out how relevant contemporary instructions were to the actual execution of an object of such exquisite quality. The results form the basis for the reconstruction of the red-lacquered panelling of the cabinet. -- ICCROM