Lot 59
59
A GOOD JICHIMU RECESSED-LEG TABLE, QIAOTOUAN

Details
A GOOD JICHIMU RECESSED-LEG TABLE, QIAOTOUAN
17TH CENTURY

The single plank top with 'ice-plate' edge terminating in everted flanges and supported on trestles, the square legs with raised 'two-incense-stick' beading joined by a humped shoe foot and framing a large openwork panel, well carved with a cloud-shaped lingzhi fungus surrounded by smaller lingzhi set amid rhythmically scrolling tendrils, the straight apron with beading continuing onto the spandrels, each in the form of a crested phoenix with openwork scrolling wings and tails, the wood very finely grained with characteristic wavy, feathery pattern
34 5/8in. (88cm.) high, 70 1/2in. (179cm.) wide, 16 7/8in. (43cm.) deep
Literature
Sarah Handler, "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Renaissance Collection", Orientations, January 1991, p. 50, fig. 14
Lark E. Mason, Jr., "Understanding Joinery in Chinese Furniture", JCCFS, Autumn 1991, p. 20, fig. 11
Terese Tse Bartholomew, "Botanical Motifs in Chinese Furniture", JCCFS, Autumn 1992, p. 37, fig. 3
Wang Shixiang, "Jianyue Minglian" ("The Beauty of Ming Furniture"), GWY, May 1993, no. 122, p. 8
Wang Shixiang, "The Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture in California", JCCFS, Autumn 1993, p. 50, no. 6
Wang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, p. 112, no. 53

Lot Essay

A huanghuali table, also with four openwork phoenix spandrels, in the collection of the Beijing Timber Factory is illustrated by Wang Shixiang in Classic Chinese Furniture, p. 171, no. 112. See, also, the huanghuali table with phoenix spandrels included by Curtis Evarts in "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Piccus Collection", JCCFS, Autumn 1992, pp. 20-21

Refer to Sarah Handler's article, "Side Tables, a Surface for Treasures and the Gods", Orientations, May 1996, pp. 32-41, where she suggests that this kind of table was used primarily as a side table, although it could also serve as a domestic altar table. Apparently the altar tables used in temples were generally characterized by high waists and cabriole legs