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Lot Essay
The top of standard mitre, mortise and tenon frame construction with a two-board, tongue-and-grooved flush, floating panel supported by two dovetailed transverse stretchers underneath and an additional cross stretcher. The edge of the frame top is decorated with a wide groove above a recessed high waist. The plain, straight beaded-edged apron is half-lapped mortised and tenoned into the tall legs ending in exquisitely drawn hoof feet. Four S-curved braces are mortised and tenoned into the legs and the transverse stretchers underneath the top.
This incense stand of simple classic proportions epitomizes the ideal aesthetic of its period. Stands of this design belong to a type of classic Ming furniture designs, as frequently mentioned in contemporaneous paintings and woodblock print illustrations, for example, in the 16th century publication Eight Discourses on the Art of Living Zunsheng Bajian, vol. 15 by Gao Lian. However, surviving examples are rare. They were used for displaying a rock sculpture, fragrant penzai miniature plants, flower vases or an incense burners. They were sometimes placed outdoors for worship. A similar square incense stand with base stretchers, is illustrated by Gustav Ecke, Chinese Domestic Furniture, Hong Kong, 1978, pl. 6; a smaller example is illustrated in the Ming dynasty encyclopedia Sancai tuhui [Assembled pictures of the three realms], vol. 12, p. 32 (fig. 2). A shorter stand of similar design, but without S-curved braces, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 18 March 2014, lot 408. A smaller example has an inset burl panel in the top, is illustrated by Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and the Romance with Huanghuali Wood: The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, p. 98.
Please note these lots incorporate material from endangered species which could result in export restrictions. You should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on this lot if you plan to import the lot into another country. Please refer to Christie’s Conditions of Sale.
This incense stand of simple classic proportions epitomizes the ideal aesthetic of its period. Stands of this design belong to a type of classic Ming furniture designs, as frequently mentioned in contemporaneous paintings and woodblock print illustrations, for example, in the 16th century publication Eight Discourses on the Art of Living Zunsheng Bajian, vol. 15 by Gao Lian. However, surviving examples are rare. They were used for displaying a rock sculpture, fragrant penzai miniature plants, flower vases or an incense burners. They were sometimes placed outdoors for worship. A similar square incense stand with base stretchers, is illustrated by Gustav Ecke, Chinese Domestic Furniture, Hong Kong, 1978, pl. 6; a smaller example is illustrated in the Ming dynasty encyclopedia Sancai tuhui [Assembled pictures of the three realms], vol. 12, p. 32 (fig. 2). A shorter stand of similar design, but without S-curved braces, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 18 March 2014, lot 408. A smaller example has an inset burl panel in the top, is illustrated by Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and the Romance with Huanghuali Wood: The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, p. 98.
Please note these lots incorporate material from endangered species which could result in export restrictions. You should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on this lot if you plan to import the lot into another country. Please refer to Christie’s Conditions of Sale.