A ZITAN KANG TABLE LATE MING – EARLY QING DYNASTY

the top of mitre, mortise and tenon frame construction with a flush, tongue-and-grooved three-board floating panel supported by two dovetailed transverse braces underneath, the edge of the frame curving to form a half-rounded shape echoed in the apron below, the apron dovetailed into and wrapping round the legs double tennoned to the top to meet up with each other, the hump-back shaped stretchers similarly constructed below the aprons and modelled perpendicular to two pillar-shaped mitred struts on the long sides and one on the short sides

As expected there is shrinkage between the panel and frame. There are bruises to the body, especially the tips of the feet and the underside of one of the side apron. Other general surface scratches.
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This belongs to the family of Ming pieces that are inspired by cane or bamboo furniture. It must have been the ultimate snobbery to produce furniture in precious wood to simulate ordinary furniture made of bamboo or cane.

Kang table is a classic type of Ming table, suitable for use at mat level or on the kang, a hollow brick platform where hot air is driven through to create a warm living space. Smaller size kang tables are used on couch beds, canopy beds as well as on the kang.

Extant examples of zitan furniture datable to the Ming dynasty are very rare with most surviving examples being in high Qing design with ornate carving.

See an example with a similar design in the Hung Collection, illustrated in Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture. One Hundred Examples from the Mimi and Raymond Hung Collection, New York, 1996, no. 38.