Belle paire de tables de milieu, qinzhuo, en Huanghuali Chine, dynastie Qing, XVII-XVIIIE siècle

le plateau rectangulaire composé d'un cadre assemblé en onglet, le tablier curviligne à bord mouluré finement sculpté sur chaque face d'une arabesque au centre, les quatre pieds cabriole se terminant en sabot sculptés de feuilles d'acanthe, le bois d'une belle patine d'âge

Acquises dans les années 60 auprès de la Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes, Paris. 

One of the apron to the rear of one table along the longer side is a later replacement (the wood board is slightly thinner, and its wood grain is a little different). Each top are lkely to be slightly reduced in width and length as they usually are along the course of their life on this type of furniture, consequence of the wood natural shrinkage over the time (see condition report for lot 116). Otherwise in good condition and bearing a fine age patina. One of the top with a 20 cm age crack opening horizontally in the woood grain of one plank.
"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."

The present pair of huanghuali tables are exceptional for their simple yet elegant form, especially the slightly curved legs ending in ruyi feet that give the furniture a distinct decorative touch. It is also rare to find tables that form a matching pair.

Tables of this design with a high rectangular top and four leggs without stretchers are sometimes referred to as qin tables, on which you can play the luth.

See a table from the Qing Court collection made of huanghuali   illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), pl. 86, of more ornate decoration and with legs ending in scroll feet. Compare also well four huanghuali tables, from the collection of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, sold in our New York rooms, 16th September 2009, lots. 5, 8, 13 and 14. Another qinzhuo table from the Lu Ming Shi Collection is illustrated in Ming, The Golden Age of Chinese Furniture, exhib.catalogue, Musée national des Arts asiatiques -Guimet, mars- July 2003, no.53 p.170.

Huali wood, member of the genus Pterocarpus, is a richly grained tropical wood that provides planks of considerable size for ease of carving. The colour can vary considerably, hence, furniture makers in China traditionally distinguished between huali, laohuali or 'old' huali, and huanghuali or 'yellow' huali. The different names mainly reflect the variations in the tone and grain of the wood. The major source of supply of this expensive wood came from the island of Hainan through trade with the Li people living on the island.  High transportation cost and limited supply meant that huanghuali was amongst the precious and sought after materials for furniture makers of the Qing period.