- 118
A HUANGHUALI PAINTING TABLE LATE MING DYNASTY
Estimate
2,800,000 - 4,000,000 HKD
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Description
- huanghuali (Dalbergia odorifera)
the top of mitre, mortise and tenon frame construction with a tongue-and-groove, flush floating panel of two matched boards, supported by four dovetailed transverse stretchers underneath, the edge of the frame centred with a double beaded band, resting on four splayed legs with melon-ridge (gualeng) mouldings cut to house the spandrelled apron with a wide, flat moulded edge, the legs double tennoned to the underside of the top, each pair of legs joined on the shorter side with a hump-back shaped oval section stretcher decorated with gualeng mouldings
Provenance
Grace Wu Bruce, Hong Kong.
Kai-Yin Lo Collection, Hong Kong.
Kai-Yin Lo Collection, Hong Kong.
Literature
Catherine Maudsley, Classical and Vernacular Chinese Furniture in the Living Environment, Hong Kong, 1998, pp. 152–153.
Condition
The table is in overall good condition. As expected of a table of this size and in keeping with its domestic use, there are bruises and surface wear, especially to the fragile tips of the legs where there is more severe bruising and losses. There are traces of indistinct writing to the table top.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This painting table is of superb proportion and detailed with refined decorations of gualeng melon-ridge mouldings that are usually found on sloping-stile cabinets of high quality, but are extremely rare on tables.
Tables with legs not at the corners but recessed are called “an” tables, with “pingtouan” referring to those “an” tables that are flat ended versus those with everted ends. This classic pingtouan design has its origin in ancient Chinese architecture in wood. Pingtouan were used for various functions as seen in woodblock illustrations of Ming books. The present example, being over 70 cm deep is suitable for use as a desk, the modern equivalent of a Ming dynasty painting table. Painting tables are very rare in surviving examples of classic Chinese furniture.
A very similar, but longer, table in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing is illustrated in Zhu Jiajin and Wang Shixiang, eds., Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, Gongyi Meishubian [The Compendium of Chinese Art: Arts and Crafts], vol. 11, Beijing, 1987, pl. 181.
Tables with legs not at the corners but recessed are called “an” tables, with “pingtouan” referring to those “an” tables that are flat ended versus those with everted ends. This classic pingtouan design has its origin in ancient Chinese architecture in wood. Pingtouan were used for various functions as seen in woodblock illustrations of Ming books. The present example, being over 70 cm deep is suitable for use as a desk, the modern equivalent of a Ming dynasty painting table. Painting tables are very rare in surviving examples of classic Chinese furniture.
A very similar, but longer, table in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing is illustrated in Zhu Jiajin and Wang Shixiang, eds., Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, Gongyi Meishubian [The Compendium of Chinese Art: Arts and Crafts], vol. 11, Beijing, 1987, pl. 181.