A Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Lacquer Stand Ming Dynasty, 16th / 17th Century

of upright rectangular section, the raised top supported on a short pierced waist, the lobed apron continuing to cabriole legs resting on a rectangular stretcher base, delicately inlaid overall in iridescent slivers of mother-of-pearl on a black lacquer ground, the top with an ethereal scene depicting a gentleman standing beneath a pavilion greeting another crossing a bridge on his horse, all amidst a lush landscape laden with floral sprigs and willow and wutong trees below incised clouds and a moon in the distance, the apron decorated with a cartouche on each side enclosing a bird perched on a leafy sprig bearing various fruits and flowers, including pomegranates, peaches and peonies, the corners of the apron picked out with floral diapers, the legs and the base further decorated with delicate floral and foliate motifs