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Lot Essay
This elegant ‘official’s hat’ armchair illustrates how the classic form would have been commissioned in other woods, to take advantage of the inherent individual qualities of the distinct wood types available. On this example, the vigorous and graphic patterning of the grain of the heitan, or striped ebony, creates a dramatic effect. While huanghuali and zitan were also likely available to the craftsman at the time, the choice of heitan for such a high-quality piece of furniture indicates its status as an exotic and desirable wood.
Ebony is harvested from trees that rarely exceed 30 centimeters in diameter. It is a fine, dense wood with a brittle texture and was generally better suited for smaller scholar’s objects. It is very rare to find furniture created from large expanses of the wood. A huanghuali painting table (hua’an) with visually contrasting ebony frame and legs from the Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Piccus Collection of Fine Classical Chinese Furniture was offered at Christie’s New York, 18 September 1997, lot 47.
Ebony is harvested from trees that rarely exceed 30 centimeters in diameter. It is a fine, dense wood with a brittle texture and was generally better suited for smaller scholar’s objects. It is very rare to find furniture created from large expanses of the wood. A huanghuali painting table (hua’an) with visually contrasting ebony frame and legs from the Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Piccus Collection of Fine Classical Chinese Furniture was offered at Christie’s New York, 18 September 1997, lot 47.