A MINIATURE BOXWOOD AND HUANGHUALI INCENSE STAND, XIANGJI QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the beaded-edge foliate top inset with a conforming huanghuali panel above a waisted section, supported on an apron carved with openwork archaistic scrolls continuing down to six cabriole legs with beaded edges each interrupted by ruyi-heads, all raised on a shaped-foot stretcher

Apart from an 2 cm area of loss to one of the archaistic scrolled aprons on the table, the overall condition is quite good.
"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 stand is a miniature version of incense stands (xiangji) much favoured for use in large halls to support censers. Wang Shixiang in Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, vol.1, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 52, notes that xiangji are mentioned in Lu Ban's classic Lu Ban Jing Jiang Jia Jing ('Lu Ban's Classic, A Mirror for Craftsmen') and early examples of the type were beautifully designed and well constructed with slender incurved legs that frame sensuous arched openings of various shapes. This stand is especially elegant for its quatrefoil form which is technically more challenging to produce then the common square and rectangular examples.

For regular size xiangji see one supported on six legs, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Classic Chinese Furniture, London, 1986, pl. 76, together with a four-legged example, pl. 75, and a five-legged example, pl. 73, the latter two from the collection of Wang Shixiang. Another hexagonal zitan xiangji, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, is published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 156; and one of similar hexagonal form was sold at Christie's New York, 5^th June 1986, lot 410.