A HUANGHUALI HARNESS FITTING

Details

A HUANGHUALI HARNESS FITTING
17TH/18TH CENTURY

Formed from two parallel arch shapes, the top of both with ridged metal bands, one arch carved with a pair of stylized confronted dragons with long scrolling tails and set above with a pair of metal double gourds, the ends of both set into slightly curved panels with incised line borders tapering to the angled shorter sides, each with a circular metal ring
5in. (12.8cm.) high, 14in. (35.5cm.) wide, 11in. (27.9cm.) deep

Literature

Wang Shixiang, "Additional Examples of Classical Chinese Furniture", Orientations, January 1992, p. 50, no. 16

Lot Essay

A comparable huanghuali harness fitting, possibly of Kangxi date, carved with a single lion in high relief, was included in the exhibition, The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture

Wang suggests that the fitting may have been placed across the back of a horse or a mule and attached to the shafts of a cart