A RARE RED-GROUND INCISED AND COLORED LACQUER TABLE LATE MING / EARLY QING DYNASTY

the long rectangular top decorated in red, green and blue colored lacquers with a delicately incised classic meandering lotus design with buds, fully blossomed flowers amidst an abundance of twisting and turning leaves, enframed by six shaped reserves on the long sides and two on the short sides each enclosing a striding dragon, all against a tight wanzi ground above an apron with further reserves each with a pair of confronting dragons amidst further scrolling lotus, repeated on the sturdy square section legs joined by high openwork angular scroll stretchers and terminating in hoof feet

There are multiple chips, particularly to the legs and the surface has been heavily consolidated and applied overall with a coat of shellac that has yellowed. There are repairs to the broken elements of the scrollwork.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The complicated decorative technique used on the present table is discussed at some length in Michel Beurdeley, Chinese Furniture, New York, 1979, pp. 106-114.  The author comments that while the technique is not much mentioned by Chinese writers, there is a reference in the Jin ao tui shi bi ji, 'These lacquers carved with flowers and birds are filled with paint and ground lacquer juice, they are then polished like a painting, They keep their sheen for a long time..they are much more valuable than red lacquer'. (ibid.  p. 108.)