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Lot Essay
The mixing of woods was very popular during the Qing dynasty, and frequently resulted in a pleasing combination of colors, grains and textures, as is evident in the current lot. While stone, porcelain, cloisonné and other materials were also used for design elements, huamu seems to be amongst the favorite materials employed by furniture craftsmen of this period. This is perhaps due to the natural figuring of the burl, which is widely appreciated for its scholarly appeal.
It is interesting to note the quatrefoil form of the legs on the present lot, which appears to be quite unusual, and no other similar examples seem to be published. For a mixed wood example of a zitan recessed-leg wine table dated to the 18th century, inset with a huamu top panel, see C. Evarts, "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Piccus Collection", Journal of the Classical Chinese Furniture Society, Autumn 1992, p. 20, fig. 24.
It is interesting to note the quatrefoil form of the legs on the present lot, which appears to be quite unusual, and no other similar examples seem to be published. For a mixed wood example of a zitan recessed-leg wine table dated to the 18th century, inset with a huamu top panel, see C. Evarts, "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Piccus Collection", Journal of the Classical Chinese Furniture Society, Autumn 1992, p. 20, fig. 24.