Lot Essay
As discussed in Wang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1995, p. 150-1 (and sold in these rooms, Important Chinese Furniture, Formerly the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture Collection, 19 September 1996, lot 57), when the mirror stand is removed, the dressing case becomes a small table. This is described in the late Ming novel, Jin Ping Mei, when wine and food are brought to one of the women's rooms and served upon a small dressing stand with its mirror removed.