A HUANGHUALI RECESSED-LEG TABLE (PINGTOUAN) LATE MING DYNASTY

the top of standard miter, mortise and tenon construction enclosing a two-board floating panel, tongue-and-grooved into the rectangular frame, supported underneath by three transverse stretchers, the frame gently molded and with a beaded lower edge, the cylindrical, splayed legs double-tenoned into the top and cut to house the shaped spandreled apron, each pair of legs joined on the short side by two oval-sectioned stretchers

Eskenazi, Milan, 1990. 

The joints and panels with expected consolidation. There are patches and filled repairs to splits on the inside of the legs and to the sections where the stretchers meet the legs. Two of the stretchers are repaired. There is significant wear to the feet .
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 simple, elegant and highly functional design of the present table is derived from standard wood building construction in use since the Han dynasty. Examples of this type, known as the 'standard table', date to as early as the Song dynasty. It is also referred to as a ‘character one table type’ (yi zi zhou shi) as the single horizontal stroke of the Chinese character for the numeral ‘one’ bears resemblance to the clean, angular lines of the table. This descriptive term is taken from the Wanli period edition of the Lu Ban jing jiang jia jing (The Classic of Lu Ban and the Craftsman’s Mirror).

Produced in varying sizes, the present table exemplifies a type of modest dimensions, readily portable and eminently useful. A table of the same form and similar dimensions from the collection of Dr. S.Y. Yip was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2015, lot 130 and a large example of the form was sold in our London rooms, 11th November 2015, lot 14.