17TH-18TH CENTURY

With its gently splayed and molded legs and graceful proportions, the present huanghuali table exemplifies the refined elegance of furniture dated to the 17th and 18th century. The elegant lines and designs nicely contrast the beaded, elongated spandrels, which are pierced with a ruyi. Its diminutive proportions and more decorative carved features suggest it may have been used for display rather than for utilitarian purposes. Ming-dynasty woodblock prints show side tables used in interior spaces holding flowers or antiques.

A huanghuali trestle-leg table with similarly molded legs and pierced spandrels was sold at Christie’s New York, 22 March 2019, lot 1663.