MID-18TH CENTURY

Details

A CHINESE EXPORT ROSEWOOD HARLEQUIN TABLE
MID-18TH CENTURY
The rounded rectangular triple-hinged top enclosing a plain surface, a green baize-lined playing-surface with dished counter and candle wells, and a writing-surface with spring-fitted rising section, revealing five pigeon-holes above five small drawers and an easel, on gateleg-action cabriole legs headed by lion masks, on claw-and-ball feet and anti-friction castors
30 ½ in. (77.5 cm.) high; 30 in. (76 cm.) wide; 15 ¾ in. (40 cm.) deep, closed

Provenance

Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 23 April 1998, lot 223.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Caitlin Yates

cyates@christies.com +44 207 389 2058

Lot Essay

The harlequin multi-purpose mechanical table for eating, writing and gaming was named after the master-of-disguises in the 18th Century Commedia del Arte theatre. A related design for a harlequin table of this form is included on the trade card of Thomas Potter (d.1782), cabinet-maker of High Holborn (now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, ref. no. E.2320-1889).
An English table of this model is at Temple Newsam House, Leeds and is illustrated alongside Potter's design in G. Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall , Vol. III, Leeds, 1998, pp. 658-660.
A similar padouk Harlequin table, with shell-carved legs was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 1 October 1992, lot 69. Another example of similar form, but with a simpler overall design and lappet-headed legs, was offered anonymously at Sotheby's, London, 5 June, 2007, lot 186.

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