A HUANGHUALI BALANCE STAND LATE MING DYNASTY

the plain rectangular base set with a drawer fitted with a baitong plate and pull, flanked by two uprights secured by openwork ear-shaped spandrels detailed with coiled dragons on top of drum elements and a stylised 'shou' character, and joined at the top with an inset panel elegantly carved in openwork with flowers and birds, the two spandrels at the corner below adorned with coiled dragons, the main joints deftly reinforced with baitong plates to withstand the stress caused by the addition of the scale and weights

Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and the Romance with Huanghuali Wood: The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1991, cat. no. 68, pp. 162-163.
Denver Art Museum, Denver, 1997-99.

Yip Shing Yiu, 'Collecting Ming Furniture of Huang Hua-Li Wood', Arts of Asia, May-June 1991, p. 121, fig. 15.

Overall good condition, with typical surface wear to the fragile extremities. There has been minor consolidation to the drum elements on the sides, front left drum with 4cm area, front right with 3cm area.
"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."

"A balance stand of the period. Even an everyday utility piece can be so well decorated."

Balances are small scales used to weigh silver pieces, etc. They
were widely used as measures when silver was the common
currency. Balance stands were the accessory furniture to hang the
balance scales.

Balance stands were used in both Ming households and commercial premises. The Ming dynasty novel Erke pai'an jingqi [Amazing Tales, Second Series], illustrates a balance stand in a Ming home, and a balance stand is shown in use in a shop in the 16th century illustrated novel Jin Ping Mei [The Plum in the Golden Vase, or the Golden Lotus], vol. 1, ch. 60.

See Wang Shixiang and Curtis Evarts, Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Chicago and San Francisco, 1995, pp. 186-187 for a similar but completely plain piece in the Museum's collection. Surviving examples of balance stands made of huanghuali are very rare and this highly decorated glamorous piece is even rarer.