17TH-18TH CENTURY

Details

A HUANGHUALI SQUARE CORNER-LEG TABLE, FANGZHUO
17TH-18TH CENTURY
The paneled-top table is set within a square frame with 'ice-plate' edge, above shaped, beaded aprons carved in relief with a pair of confronted chilong amidst entwined and scrolling scrollwork. The beaded legs terminate in hoof feet and are joined by humpback stretchers.
34 in. (86.6 cm.) high, 36 ¾ in. (93.3 cm.) square

Provenance

Sotheby's New York, 23 and 25 April 1987, lot 540.
Property of a Private New York Collector; Christie's New York, 19 September 2006, lot 82.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Olivia Hamilton

asianartny@christies.com 212-636-2180

Lot Essay

For dining, writing, appreciating antiques, or playing games, the square table is the most versatile in Chinese furniture. The high, humpback stretcher of the present lot strengthens the table while lightening the overall appearance, and not interfering with the knees of the sitters.

A similar table, the apron also carved with scrolling dragons, is illustrated by S. Handler, Ming Furniture in the Light of Chinese Architecture, Berkeley and Toronto, 2005, p. 167. See, also, M. Beurdeley, Chinese Furniture, Tokyo and New York, 1979, pl. 126, for a similar example dated to the late Ming period, in the Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes Collection, Paris.

A huanghuali square table of similar proportions, carved on the aprons with dragons and archaistic scroll, is in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 54 -Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), Hong Kong, 2002, p. 98, no. 86, where it is dated to the Qianlong period.

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