QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

The present kang table appears to be part of a group of low rectangular carved red lacquer kang tables that are associated with imperial production during the 18th century. While slight variations on the form exist, these tables are generally found in closely related shapes and with similar decoration. See, for example, the carved red lacquer kang table of similar form, dated to the Qianlong period, in the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), Hong Kong, 2002, p. 151, no. 134. (Fig.1) The illustrated table is carved in openwork on the sides with ruyi heads, which are not found on the present table, and the illustrated table does not feature the same elaborate base stretcher. Commonly shared is the plain lacquered top and heavily carved sides, suggesting that while there may be small differences in the group, the two were likely produced in the Palace workshops for Imperial use.