Lot Essay
Although sometimes described just as folding tables, the legs, too, may be completely detached. The long side aprons are hinged by wooden pivots to the end aprons and can be folded away for protection. Temples had many small softwood versions which were brought out from storage chests for special occasions
A demountable green-serpentine-top huanghuali wine table, fitted with a drawer but otherwise comparable to the present lot, was illustrated by Wang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, p. 94, no. 44 and sold in these rooms September 19, 1996, lot 18
For another demountable table see Grace Wu Bruce, "Examples of Classic Chinese Furniture, A Folding Table", Oriental Art, Winter 1990-1991, p. 233
A demountable green-serpentine-top huanghuali wine table, fitted with a drawer but otherwise comparable to the present lot, was illustrated by Wang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, p. 94, no. 44 and sold in these rooms September 19, 1996, lot 18
For another demountable table see Grace Wu Bruce, "Examples of Classic Chinese Furniture, A Folding Table", Oriental Art, Winter 1990-1991, p. 233