A SMALL HUANGHUALI RECESSED-LEG ALTAR TABLE, QIAOTOUAN QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the single board panelled top, terminating in everted flanges above a straight beaded-edge apron and beaded cloud-scroll spandrels, supported on square sectioned legs, with rounded fronts, terminating in slightly splayed feet, joined by square sectioned stretchers enclosing a rectangular openwork dragon panel

This small recessed leg table is in good condition, but has a possible repair and replacement to the lower part of the apron to one side, and a small section of wood missing at the join to the apron on the other side. There is some staining and scratches to the upper surface and a circular burn mark to one side, as well as some shrinkage to the panels. There is also some more minor repairs and replacements to one dragon panel and the internal stretcher above supporting it.
"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."

Tables of this type, carved with recessed legs and upturned ends, were commonly placed against a wall in the main hall of family compounds where important male visitors were received and family ceremonies took place. This design is derived from altar tables, zu, that were used to hold meat offerings in the Eastern Zhou period. Rectangular tables with upturned ends are depicted on archaic bronze yi vessels from this period, and a low lacquer table of this type was unearthed from a tomb in Zhaoxiang , Hubei province, and illustrated in Sarah Handler, ‘Side Tables. A Surface for Treasures and the Gods’, Chinese Furniture. Selected Articles from Orientations 1984-1999, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 200.

Compare a slightly larger table of this type with similarly carved panels on the sides, sold in these rooms, 30th October 1987, lot 103; another, but decorated on the side panels with lingzhi, sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2007, lot 302; and a much larger example from the Florence and Herbert Irving collection, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in the Museum’s website, accession no. 1996.339.