LATE 18TH-19TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE PARQUETRY-EMBELLISHED ZITAN CORNER-LEG TABLE, TIAOZHUO
LATE 18TH-19TH CENTURY
The top is composed of a floating panel finely inlaid with square pieces of zitan, huanghuali, and nanmu in a geometric pattern set in a rectangular frame with 'water-stopping' molding and 'ice-plate' edge. The narrow waist is carved with a continuous ruyi border above a finely beaded apron. The whole is raised on legs of square section framed by shaped spandrels carved with archaistic scroll, and terminating in scroll-form hoof feet.
31 3/8 in. (79.7 cm.) high, 34 ¾ in. (88.2 cm.) wide, 14 7/8 in. (37.7 cm.) deep

Special notice

Lots made of or including (regardless of the percentage) endangered and other protected species of wildlife are marked with the symbol ~ in the catalogue. This material includes, among other things, ivory, tortoiseshell, crocodile skin, rhinoceros horn, whalebone certain species of coral, and Brazilian rosewood. You should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on any lot containing wildlife material if you plan to import the lot into another country. Several countries refuse to allow you to import property containing these materials, and some other countries require a licence from the relevant regulatory agencies in the countries of exportation as well as importation. In some cases, the lot can only be shipped with an independent scientific confirmation of species and/or age, and you will need to obtain these at your own cost.

Lot Essay

The parquetry design seen on the present table is an example of the cross cultural exchange between Europe and China during the Qing dynasty. Parquetry, and the related technique marquetry, was a European practice seen in furniture from the 18th century, whereby woods of contrasting color and grain were mixed to create complex geometric patterns and floral designs or landscape scenes.

A small zitan chest dated to Qianlong period, displaying a harlequin design worked in marquetry using various type of wood including huanghuali and hongmu is illustrated in M. Flacks, Classical Chinese Furniture III: Woods of China, Autumn 1998, New York, p. 34-35, no. 18.

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